Declaring Shushi as the Youth Capital of OIC is falsification of history by Azerbaijan – Geghard SAF

 Declaring Shushi as the Youth Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is another example of the falsification of Shushi's Armenian identity by Azerbaijan, Geghard Scientific and Analytical Foundation said in a statement.

“Azerbaijan's declaration of the occupied city of Shushi as the Youth Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2024 is another example of the falsification of Shushi's Armenian identity and Baku's hypocritical religious policies. Azerbaijan claims that one of their main objectives is to unite youth from around the world and provide an opportunity for young people from different countries to learn about the history and culture of Shushi.

“Through such events, Azerbaijan attempts to legitimize its occupation of Artsakh and the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians. By erasing the Armenian Christian heritage in Shushi, Baku seeks to present Shushi to the international community as an Azerbaijani city. It is ironic that Azerbaijan, despite its repression of Azerbaijani Muslims at the state level, has declared Shushi the Youth Capital of the OIC. Azerbaijan is notorious for violating the rights of Muslims and religious minorities, with hundreds of believers imprisoned in the country.

“In Azerbaijan, mosques have often been closed or neglected, the call to prayer is forbidden from being broadcast through loudspeakers, religious posters are banned, and wearing hijab in schools is prohibited. The clergy's right to receive education is also restricted. Moreover, Azerbaijan, a member of the OIC, openly supports Israel's military operations against Gaza.

“Therefore, declaring Shushi the Youth Capital of the OIC appears to be another attempt by Azerbaijan to distort history, destroy Armenian cultural heritage, and azerbaijanize Shushi,” the statement reads.

Related Articles Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to make progress toward a peace agreement - Miller Proud that EU support is saving lives of people in Azerbaijan: EU ambassador on demining Possibility of strengthening domestic relations between Azerbaijan and Israel discussed We hope that permanent peace will be established between Azerbaijan and Armenia soon: Erdogan European Parliament MP calls Orban's participation in the summit of Turkic States in Shushi “a shame” USA wants to advance peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Senator Cardin Free Armenian Prisoners: Azerbaijan representative lied about treatment of Ruben Vardanyan detained in Baku 83.8% of survey respondents in Azerbaijan are in favor of signing peace treaty with Armenia Armenia FM: Azerbaijan creates artificial obstacles for inhibiting signing of peace agreement FM: Georgia welcomes Armenia, Azerbaijan decision to start border delimitation process