International Conference dedicated to the Azerbaijani thinker and scholar Sheikh Sayyid Yahya Bakuvi (15th century) within the framework of the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the Organization of Turkic States Baku, Azerbaijan, 14-15 September 2026

The Azerbaijani thinker and scholar Sheikh Sayyid Yahya Bakuvi Shirvani (d. 1461) is well-known as the “Second Master” of the Khalwatiyya Sufi tariqa, one of the most widespread Sufi orders around the world still today. He reinforced and systematized the order, launching its dissemination across borders through his assigned caliphs/disciples and their successors settled in Anatolia, Egypt, Iran, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Yahya Bakuvi Shirvani’s thought and teachings provide a significant framework for promoting mutual respect between different religions and among the diverse spiritual paths and traditions within them. An International Conference dedicated to Sayyid Bakuvi was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 14-15 September 2026, within the framework of the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

The program began with meeting of the Working Group (Fatwa Committee) of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the OTS, followed by visits to the tomb of Sayyid Yahya Bakuvi and the “House of Tolerance” in Icherisheher, the Baku historical core, and to the grave of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Then, the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the OTS was opened, bringing together the religious leaders of the OTS. This was followed by the International Conference dedicated to Yahya Bakuvi, chaired by His Virtue Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board and Sheikh ul-Islam of Caucasus. The conference was attended by scholars from different countries. Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Director General of IRCICA, participated in the conference with a presentation highlighting the timeless relevance of Sayyid Yahya Bakuvi’s thought and teachings for building tolerance and respect between peoples of different faiths, religious paths and spiritual traditions, all of which strive to attain the Divine Truth.

His Excellency President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation comprising members and observers of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the Organization of Turkic States and the co-organizers and participants of the Yahya Bakuvi International Conference, including IRCICA Director General Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç as a member of the delegation, on 15 September 2026.