Rafig Aliyev, doctor of philosophy, professor, founder of IRSHAD Center on Islamic Studies since 1990, was born in Agdam region of Azerbaijan in 1947. Worked as head of department, deputy director on foreign relations at the Institute on Oriental Studies, director of the center for Islamic Researches in the Caucasus of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. From June 21, 2001 to June June 26, 2006, he headed the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the Work with Religious Associations. Since June 27, 2006, R. Aliyev has worked as director of the Center on Islamic Studies. He is a member of World Peace Academy of Professors, international interreligious committee. Author… of 16 books and more than 250 scientific articles. Married, has two children.