Shusha hosts first meeting of religious affairs heads of OTS countries - UPDATED

The first meeting of the heads of state religious affairs bodies of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has concluded in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha.

According to a Report correspondent on site, the participants adopted an 11-point communiqué outlining directions for future cooperation and joint initiatives among the relevant institutions.

The document highlights the importance of supporting the restoration of historical, religious, and cultural heritage in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, as well as promoting interfaith understanding and Islamic solidarity across the Turkic region.

It also stresses the advancement of Turkic-Islamic cultural heritage on the international stage and calls for strengthened cooperation in combating religious radicalism, extremism, terrorism, Islamophobia, and other harmful trends.

The participants agreed that the next meeting will be held in 2027 in Kazakhstan.

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The first meeting of heads of state religious structures from member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is taking place in Shusha.

According to Report, the event brings together representatives from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as OTS Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.

The discussions focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as state–religious relations, education, legislative frameworks, and training in religious governance. Participants are also considering joint efforts in the protection, restoration, and international promotion of religious and cultural heritage sites shared by Turkic peoples.

The agenda further includes topics such as promoting inter-hub understanding, interfaith dialogue, Islamic solidarity, the exchange of experience and information in countering religious radicalism and extremism, and strengthening coordination among relevant institutions.

A key point of the meeting is the proposal to establish a permanent cooperation mechanism within the OTS framework for government bodies responsible for religious affairs.

The meeting is expected to conclude with the adoption of a joint communiqué.