Dr. Fariz Khalili

Fariz Khalilli graduated from the History Faculty of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University named after Nasraddin Tusi. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University in 2003 with a master’s degree in ancient world history.

Under the guidance of Academician Naila Valikhanli, he defended his dissertation “Archaeological materials of the Museum of Azerbaijan History as a source in the study of Azerbaijani history (from antiquity to the IV century BC)” in 2007 and received the title of candidate of historical sciences (Doctor of Philosophy in History).

During 2002-2011, he worked as a researcher and department head at the National Museum of Azerbaijan History. In 2010-2020, he was the chairman of the “Miras” Public Association for the Study of Cultural Heritage.

In 2011-2014, he worked as a teacher at the Department of Social Sciences and vice-rector for scientific affairs at the Azerbaijan Teachers’ Institute.

In 2015-2020, he managed the “Medieval Agsu Town” Archaeological Tourism Complex on a voluntary basis on the basis of a protection agreement.

In 2016-2020, he worked as a teacher at the Department of Humanities and Special Subjects of the Shamakhi Branch of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University. He taught ancient world history, medieval history, archaeology, history of Azerbaijan, history of Caucasian nations, modern international relations, history of Eastern European nations.

In 2019-2020, he managed the Basgal State Historical and Cultural Reserve of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Since 2020, he is the director of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan the State Historical and Cultural Reserve “Medieval Agsu Town” and a teacher at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. From March 3, 2021, he is the mayor of Gagali Municipality.

Fariz Khalilli conducted research on Mevlana Ismail Sirajaddin Shirvani and his successors, who brought Naqshbandiyya to the Caucasus, and the book was published twice (2003; 2011). He researched the spread of Sufism in Azerbaijan, as well as the Khalvatiyya in the country and its spread to the world. He conducted archaeological excavations in the tomb of Pir Omar Khalvati and found his inscription.

Currently, Fariz Khalilli is working on his post-doctoral dissertation “Khangahs as a source in the study of the history of the Shirvanshah state”.