Role of media in covering religious issues discussed in Azerbaijan's Shamakhi

As part of the conference "Modern Information Space and Freedom of Religion" in Shamakhi, a panel session was held on the topic "Relations between Religion and Media: New Goals and Challenges."

As Report informs, the session was moderated by the Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Gunduz Ismayilov.

The discussion was attended by the Director of Report News Agency and member of the Board of Trustees of the Spiritual Values Promotion Foundation, Fuad Huseynaliyev, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting CJSC Rafig Hashimov, Editor-in-Chief of Milli.az website Elchin Alioghlu, and writer Shahriyar Del Gerani.

Fuad Huseynaliyev proposed conducting training for journalists covering religious topics.

"Representatives of various religious movements can participate in these trainings. In addition, it is necessary to increase the number of religious programs on television. Programs dedicated to the philosophical interpretation of the Quran are especially in demand. The Committee's project - the Amin program - can serve as an example," he noted.

Elchin Alioglu said that since 2005, more than 62,000 materials with anti-religious propaganda have been published in the Azerbaijani segment of social networks, which have gathered over 138 million views.

Rafig Hashimov emphasized the importance of Islamic values in national identity, noting that each color of the state flag of Azerbaijan symbolizes the history, present, and future of the country, and Islam is "the right direction from Adam to the future."

Writer Shahriyar Del Gerani spoke about the importance of creating libraries at mosques that would contain a large amount of literature on various topics. In turn, Gunduz Ismayilov said that by the end of the year, such libraries will be opened in approximately 250 mosques.

At the end of the session, participants exchanged opinions.

Photo: Samira Hasanova