AZERBAIJAN: First meetinghouse of the Mormon Church dedicated in the country
HRWF (23.11.2025) – The first meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) in Azerbaijan was inaugurated by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the city of Baku, on 13 November 2025.
The inauguration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed jointly by Elder Bednar, Elder Gerard, Ramin Mammadov and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, who leads the Caucasus Muslim Board and is the most senior Muslim leader in the region. Other religious leaders were present.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially registered in Azerbaijan in July 2024, a development that opened the way for the local congregation to meet and secure a permanent meetinghouse. The new facility will serve as a spiritual home for Church members and a center for humanitarian and interfaith activities.
The new meetinghouse will host Sunday worship services, youth programs, family history activities and community events open to people of all backgrounds. During the week, it will also be opened for other social and community activities and other programs offered by the Church.
Sheikh-ul Islam has visited the Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he met with the former President Russell M. Nelson, and more recently with President Dallin H. Oaks. For many years the Church has run several projects and initiatives with the Azerbaijani authorities and with other international and local entities. Another significant example of collaboration between the Church and Azerbaijan is the teaching of a class of Azerbaijani language at the Brigham Young University, a Church-sponsored higher education institution in Provo, Utah (USA). A unique example in North America.
Photo : Baku (Credit: HRWF)
