ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

JULY 21, 2026 16:16

Updated: JULY 21, 2026 16:31

Rabbi Zamir Isayev, who leads Baku's Sephardi Jewish community, spoke about religious practices in Azerbaijan during a forum on religious freedom held on Capitol Hill.

He joined Pastor Rasim Khalilov, chairman of the Azerbaijan Bible Society and head of the Protestant community, at an event organized by the IRF Secretariat.

The forum gathered religious leaders and delegates from around the world along with US officials, senators and political figures.

Before the forum, Isayev and Khalilov met with Eric Trump, son of US President Donald Trump. Isayev reported that Trump showed interest in strengthening ties between Washington and Baku while describing Azerbaijan as a friend of the United States and strategic partner of Israel.

The presence of a rabbi and Protestant pastor from a Muslim-majority country underscored the contributions of religious minority communities in Azerbaijan.

Religious identity and national loyalty

In his address, Isayev stressed that religious tolerance should be judged not only by laws and official statements but also by whether minority communities can sustain their institutions and practice their faith openly.

Although many nations declare support for tolerance, he noted that religious minorities frequently lack adequate protection in practice.

Isayev contrasted secure Jewish life in Azerbaijan with insecurity faced by some European Jewish communities, noting that Jews in Azerbaijan can express both religious identity and national loyalty without facing claims of divided allegiance.

“A person should not have to choose between religious identity and loyalty to the country,” Isayev said.

“A Muslim should not become less Muslim by respecting a synagogue. A Jew should not become less Jewish by loving and serving his country. A Christian should not have to choose between devotion to faith and national identity.”

According to Isayev, Azerbaijan has built a model where religious identity and national loyalty function as compatible commitments.

Coexistence in Azerbaijan

“I lead the Sephardi Jewish community in Baku,” he said. “Our synagogue, school, kindergarten, mikveh, kosher services and rabbinical court all operate openly and freely.”

Jewish children in Baku study Hebrew, Torah, Jewish history and tradition while also receiving a modern education and growing up as citizens of Azerbaijan.

Isayev illustrated the model with an example from daily life in Baku.

“Across from the synagogue where I pray, there is an old mosque,” he said. “Sometimes, when I meet its imam, I greet him in Arabic: ‘Assalamu alaikum.’ And he answers me in Hebrew: ‘Boker tov.’

“That small exchange reflects something much larger. Coexistence is not only discussed at conferences. It is part of our daily life.”

Organizers said the presentations by Isayev and Khalilov, together with side discussions at the forum, prompted further talks about religious minority life in Azerbaijan and the country’s relations with the United States and Israel.

The discussions also addressed the planned Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, known as TRIPP, a proposed corridor through Armenia linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave and Turkey. The project is expected to strengthen transport connections between Central Asia and Europe.

Participants also discussed calls to repeal Section 907 of the US Freedom Support Act, which limits certain forms of direct American assistance to the Azerbaijani government, subject to a presidential waiver.

Supporters of repeal argue that the provision has limited deeper US engagement with Azerbaijan at a time when Washington seeks greater influence in a region historically shaped by Russia and Iran.