Azerbaijan

AZERBAIJAN

A. THE COUNTRY

The Republic of Azerbaijan, in Asia, has an oil-dominated economy with
reserves under the Caspian Sea.  This secular presidential republic has
overseen a political shift away from Russia toward Turkey and the West.
There is a long-term standoff with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Tensions with other neighbouring countries contribute to Aberbaijani
military spending being at an all-time high.  The government is working
to reduce poverty for those who are not benefiting from oil money.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population is ~8,935,000 and the official language Azerbaijani (with
20 dialects). ~86.8% are Turkic, ~4.4% Eurasian, ~3.7% Caucasus,
~5% Iranian-Median, ~0.1% Others (Jews, Assyrian).

C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Official religious freedom is tempered by reactions against “foreign”
religions and fears of Islamist extremism.  Christian work is
increasingly opposed, especially through obstruction and intimidation,
if not outright persecution.
~87.58% are Muslim (80% Shi’a), ~9.55% Non-religious, ~2.74% claim to be
Christian, ~0.11% Jewish, ~0.02% Baha’i,
In the Christian category:
~2.55% are Orthodox, ~0.11% Protestant, ~0.07% Independent, <0.01%
Catholic.
Evangelicals represent ~0.2% of the population.
Charismatics represent ~0.1% and of those <0.1% are Pentecostals.
Donna Siemens

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.