Status of religious education in Azerbaijan from independence to present (1991-2019)

During the Soviet period religion and religious education activities that interrupted after independence in Azerbaijan started a new development path and positive steps were taken in this area. The legal foundations of religion-state relations were established and the teaching of religious education was officially allowed. In addition, during the independence time, the changes were made in the laws related to protection and purification of traditional religion and a number of new decisions were accepted. In the country important steps have been taken for existing of completely free religious education and the new religious education institutions had been established that administrated by government. However, left remaining of religious education out of the general education system and teaching of religious classes in schools was estimated as a serious problem. In this study, from independence to the present day, it's been overviewed for all developments which happened to religious education in Azerbaijan, the country's current religion situation, religion-state relations, formation of religious service and religious educational institutions were investigated in detail. The place of religious education in the general education system are emphasized. As part of the research, important opinions and suggestions were presented for solutions to the problem of religious education in schools. Through this research, extensive and detailed information on religious education and general vision had tried to achieve in Azerbaijan. Key Words: Independence, Azerbaijan, Education, Religious Education, Islam, Religious Institution