Islam in Azerbaijan

This issue of the CAD analyzes the role of Islam in Azerbaijan. The first article provides a historical overview of the development of Islam, from its appearance through the end of the Soviet period. The second article examines the Azerbaijanis' perception of themselves as tolerant Muslims in an effort to win support from the West and boost Azerbaijan's standing on the international stage. The final article explains how some mosque communities function as a political opposition in the authoritarian Azerbaijani context.