On October 28, a round table titled “Islamic-Period Cemeteries of Azerbaijan: Historical-Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Perspectives” was held, organized jointly by the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, and the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Opening the event, the Rector of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, Associate Professor Agil Shirinov, PhD in Theology, welcomed the participants and emphasized the relevance of the topic. He noted that monuments of the Islamic period constitute a significant part of the spiritual and material heritage of the Azerbaijani people. Due to ideological constraints during the Soviet period, national and religious values — including funerary monuments — had often been neglected. Shirinov stressed that over the past two centuries Armenian nationalist narratives attempted to justify territorial claims by destroying or falsifying Azerbaijani monuments in Karabakh and Western Azerbaijan. He emphasized the crucial role of the Ministry of Culture and scholars of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology in exposing such issues.

The Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Associate Professor Farhad Guliyev, PhD in History, thanked the organizers and noted that over the past four years the Institute’s primary research focus has been the liberated territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. He stated that vandalism against religious monuments reflects deep hostility. According to Guliyev, the Islamic period represents a key phase in the spiritual and cultural genesis of the Azerbaijani people, and the Institute now operates a dedicated Department of Islamic Archaeology. He described Islamic cemeteries as carriers of cultural and genetic identity and emphasized their value as sources of information for disciplines such as epigraphy, art history, archaeogenetics, ethnology, and source studies. He also connected the topic’s relevance to the policy of strengthening cooperation within the Turkic world.

Sabina Hajiyeva, Doctor of Architecture and Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, highlighted the urgent need for systematic research on historic cemeteries. She reported that 136 historical cemeteries are currently registered as immovable monuments, and additional sites have been identified through monitoring since 2021. She welcomed the interdisciplinary cooperation of archaeologists, architects, and theologians.

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Gunduz Ismayilov discussed the results of monitoring efforts, noting that occupying forces pursued multiple strategies against Azerbaijani monuments: destruction, falsification, or misattribution. When Islamic monuments could not be destroyed, he said, they were presented as Persian-Iranian heritage.

Following the official remarks, scholarly presentations were delivered.

Associate Professor Khagani Almammadov, PhD in History, spoke about Islamic-period monuments in Fuzuli and Aghdam, comparing their Soviet-era documentation with their present condition. He noted clear evidence of vandalism in occupied territories and also expressed concern about neglect of monuments outside occupation zones.

Associate Professor Parviz Gasimov, PhD in History, presented electronic documentation of research conducted in 2021 at the Aghdam Imarat Complex, highlighting important findings for Azerbaijani history and ethnology and documenting acts of cultural destruction.

Associate Professor Ahmad Niyazov, PhD in Philosophy, discussed ancient Muslim cemeteries in the Zagatala and Qakh regions, particularly in Ingiloy-inhabited areas, presenting distinctive grave monuments and stressing their cultural, social, and political importance.

Associate Professor Shamil Najafov, PhD in History, reported on research at the Khojaly archaeological complex, where 212 Muslim graves were identified. He emphasized the exceptional significance of these graves alongside Bronze Age burials in the same complex.

Associate Professor Fariz Khalilli, PhD in History, outlined international conventions relevant to the classification and protection of cemeteries and funerary monuments. He warned of serious preservation challenges in several regions and stressed the need for public engagement in monument protection, stating that how a nation treats its heritage reflects its respect for its own history.

Associate Professor Elnur Mustafayev, PhD in Philosophy, Head of Department at the Institute of Oriental Studies, presented results from reading epitaphs in cemeteries in liberated Karabakh territories, particularly near the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha. He noted that inscriptions reveal burials of Azerbaijanis killed in 1903–1905. Because occupying forces could not read the Nastaliq script, these monuments were left untouched. He emphasized the urgent need for their preservation.

Associate Professor Rashad Mustafa, PhD in History, discussed cemetery research in Nic village of Gabala related to Albanian heritage, noting the coexistence of Muslim and Christian burials and stressing the importance of studying ram-shaped stone graves, which he described as “our stone memory.”

Professor Gafar Jabiyev, Doctor of Historical Sciences, stated that Azerbaijani monuments have historically faced claims from neighboring states and warned that protection of Islamic funerary heritage remains insufficient.

Professor Tarikh Dostiyev, Doctor of Historical Sciences, emphasized the need to study regional and chronological variations of Islamic cemeteries across Azerbaijan. He noted the paradox that Derbent has received more research attention than many regions within Azerbaijan and warned that many monuments face imminent loss.

A discussion followed the presentations.

At the conclusion of the event, Institute Director Farhad Guliyev presented several Institute publications and the English-language archaeology and anthropology journal to Rector Agil Shirinov.