Azerbaijan’s Ordubad added to ICESCO tentative Islamic heritage list
Historic Azerbaijani city recognized during ICESCO committee meeting in Tashkent as Baku moves toward full heritage listing
BAKU, Azerbaijan (MNTV) — The Ordubad Historical and Architectural Reserve has been added to the tentative Islamic World Heritage list of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, officials said.
The decision was made Feb. 11 during the 13th session of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from Feb. 9 to 13, according to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture.
Ordubad, one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cities, was declared a historical and architectural reserve in 1977. It was later included on the tentative World Heritage list of the UNESCO on Oct. 24, 2001.
In February 2024, President Ilham Aliyev ordered the establishment of the Ordubad State Historical and Cultural Reserve to strengthen the protection, promotion and management of monuments within the city.
The city’s name first appeared in written sources dating back to the fifth century. Azerbaijan’s late national leader Heydar Aliyev once described Ordubad as “the pearl of Azerbaijan.”
Ordubad is known for its preserved urban layout and architectural heritage. In the early 17th century, landmarks including the Juma Mosque, a madrasah, a covered market, bathhouses and caravanserais were built.
Historic neighborhoods such as Anbaras, Kurdatala, Uchturlengi, Mingis and Sarsheher took shape, along with the Arasat Square complex and a network of covered bazaars centered around three city squares.
A kahriz underground water system, constructed during the same period, served as the city’s primary water supply. The street network radiates from the central square, where the Juma Mosque stands, forming the historic structure of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Several mosques dating to the 17th and 18th centuries — including the Juma, Anbaras, Sarsheher, Dilber and Tekeshi mosques — remain significant cultural landmarks.
Officials said the tentative listing aligns with Azerbaijan’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of Urban Development and Architecture.”
The Ministry of Culture said it will continue work to secure Ordubad’s inclusion on ICESCO’s main Islamic World Heritage list.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
