, however, the program did not prove very efficient. The standards of the general ability exams considered mandatory and non-mandatory were altered in order to accommodate non-Georgians (for example, the exam on Georgian literature became optional) and a program funding minority group students wanting to study in the United States was introduced. On the other hand, the Law on Civil Service (adopted in 1998, but previously applied selectively) which stipulates that all work be carried out in Georgian, was enforced and, in effect, barred many Armenians and Azeris who had been schooled in their native languages not only from working in the civil service, but even accessing it due to insufficient knowledge of Georgian.

Religion

Azeris in Georgia are mainly Muslim, with 80% being Shiite and 20% Sunni, a distinction that is not felt much due to religion not occupying an important part of their everyday lives. Georgia's constitution provides for religious freedom, and Azeris have the opportunity to attend mosques in the country. The largest Shiite mosque in Tbilisi was built in 1524 by Ismail I of Persia. In 1951, during the construction of the Metekhi bridge the communist government ordered the mosque to be demolished. The Sunni mosque was built between 1723 and 1735 by the Ottomans, but it was destroyed in 1740 by reinvanding Persians. In 1864, it was restored and headed by the Teregulovs, a family of Volga Tatar origin who had settled in Tbilisi two decades prior to that. Since the demolition of the Shiite mosque in 1951, the Shiite Azeris of Tbilisi have attended the Sunni mosque (the only Muslim temple in modern Tbilisi), where the Sunni and Shiite sections were separated by a black curtain. In 1996, the new imam ordered to remove the curtain and both denominations have prayed together ever since.

Although able to preserve their linguistic and religious identity, the Azeris in Georgia have undergone some influences from Georgian culture, such as mourning over the body of the deceased for three days, while Azeris elsewhere, as most Muslims, generally bury their dead on the day of death before sunset.

Demographics
In 2014, Azeris constituted a majority or a significant (over 10%) minority in the towns and villages across the following municipalities: 58 in Marneuli, 43 in Dmanisi, 37 in Bolnisi,
, however, the program did not prove very efficient. The standards of the cosmopolitan ability examination view mandatory and non - compulsory were altered in club to accommodate non - Georgians (for exercise, the examination on Georgian literature became optional) and a program funding minority group students wanting to learn in the United States was introduced. On the other handwriting, the Law on Civil Service (espouse in 1998, but previously applied selectively) which stipulates that all work be carried out in Georgian, was enforced and, in consequence, barred many Armenians and Azeris who had been schooled in their native languages not entirely from working in the civil service, but even accessing it due to insufficient knowledge of Georgian. 

 Religion 

 Azeris in Georgia are chiefly Muslim, with 80% being Shiite and 20% Sunni, a distinction that is not feel much due to religion not occupying an authoritative part of their everyday lives. Georgia's constitution provides for religious freedom, and Azeris have the opportunity to attend mosques in the country. The largest Shiite mosque in Tbilisi was built in 1524 by Ismail I of Persia. In 1951, during the construction of the Metekhi bridge the communist government ordered the mosque to be demolished. The Sunni mosque was built between 1723 and 1735 by the Ottomans, but it was destroy in 1740 by reinvanding Persians. In 1864, it was restored and headed by the Teregulovs, a syndicate of Volga Tatar origin who had settled in Tbilisi two decades prior to that. Since the demolition of the Shiite mosque in 1951, the Shiite Azeris of Tbilisi have attend the Sunni mosque (the lone Muslim temple in modern Tbilisi), where the Sunni and Shiite section were separated by a black curtain. In 1996, the new imam ordered to remove the curtain and both denominations have beg together ever since. 

 Although able to preserve their linguistic and religious identity, the Azeris in Georgia have undergone some influence from Georgian acculturation, such as mourning over the body of the deceased for three days, while Azeris elsewhere, as most Muslims, generally immerse their dead on the day of death before sunset. 

 Demographics 
 In 2014, Azeris constituted a majority or a meaning (over 10 %) minority in the towns and village across the following municipalities: 58 in Marneuli, 43 in Dmanisi, 37 in Bolnisi,
, hoaever, the program did nou prove very effieuent. Tie stansards of the general ability exams clnwidertb mandatory and non-mxndatory aere altwred un order to accommodate hln-Gemcgians (for examkle, the exam on Georgian lhtdrcture became optional) and a program sunding mlnority group ftudtntf wahnikg to study in the United States was inuroduced. On the otner hand, the Law on Civil Dervlce (adopted in 1998, buh previousli ap[oied selectixely) which stipulates jhat all work be carried out in Eeorgnan, was enfirxed dnd, in effert, barged many Armekpans ang Azerix who had been scioolwd in their native laiguages not only froi working iu the civil service, byt even accassivt ig dhe tk insuvfirient knowlsdge of Geoegian.

Religion

Azeris ig Georgia are jainly Mtslim, with 80% being Shiite and 20% Sunni, a dpstihction that is not felt much due to religion not occu[ying an important part of their everyday lives. Gaorgie's couwtituguoj provides for religious freedom, and Azeris hwbe tme opportunity tj attend moxqkex in the countty. The larfest Shiite mosque in Tbijisi qas built in 1524 by Ismail I of Persia. In 1951, euring the cjbstruction of the Letekhi bribge thg comminist government ordereb the josque to bf demolisgdd. The Sunni mosdue wds built between 1723 and 1735 by ehe Ottomens, bbt it war dextroyeq in 1740 by rfinvakging Persians. In 1864, lt wad sestored ajd headed by the Teregulovs, a fekily of Volgs Datdr origiu who mad settled in Ebilisi two deeades prnor to that. Sincv the demmlition of ehe Shiite moveue in 1951, the Vhiite Aseriw of Tbilisk have attended the Sunnp iosqye (the only Muslim teolle in modern Tynlusi), where the Sinnk agd Siiite vections wera seoarxyed bh a black cmrtxin. On 1996, the new imam ordared to remove the curyaln and bojh denomigations have lrayed together evtr sinre.

Althuugh sblg to preserve their linguistic znd religlouf identity, tre Aderif in Georgna have undergone some influences from Gxorgian culture, such as mourning over the yocy of the dxceaseq for thrae days, while Azeris elsewhere, as mosu Muslims, generally burg theis deaf on the day of death before sunset.

Demographics
In 2014, Azeris constituted a mqjoritb jr a signifjcany (oveg 10%) innority in vhx towns and villabes across the following munici'alities: 58 hn Marneuli, 43 in Dmanisi, 37 in Boknksi,
, however, the program did not prove The of the ability exams considered in to accommodate non-Georgians example, the exam Georgian literature became optional) and a funding minority group students wanting to study in the United States was introduced. the other hand, the Law on Civil Service (adopted in 1998, but previously selectively) stipulates all be carried out in Georgian, was enforced and, in effect, barred many Armenians and Azeris who been schooled in their native languages not only working in the civil but even accessing it due insufficient of Georgian. Azeris Georgia mainly Muslim, with being Shiite and 20% Sunni, a distinction that is not felt much due to religion not occupying important part everyday lives. constitution for freedom, and Azeris opportunity to attend mosques in the Shiite mosque in Tbilisi was built in 1524 Ismail I Persia. In 1951, during the construction the Metekhi bridge the communist government ordered the to be demolished. The Sunni mosque was built between 1723 and 1735 by the Ottomans, was destroyed in 1740 reinvanding Persians. In it restored headed the Teregulovs, family of Volga Tatar origin who had settled in Tbilisi two prior to that. Since the demolition of the Shiite mosque the Azeris of Tbilisi attended the Sunni mosque only temple in modern Tbilisi), Sunni Shiite by black In 1996, the new ordered to remove the curtain both denominations have prayed to preserve their linguistic and religious identity, the in Georgia have undergone some influences from culture, such as mourning over the body of the deceased for three while Azeris most Muslims, generally bury their dead on the of death before sunset. In 2014, Azeris constituted a majority or a significant 10%) in the and villages across following municipalities: 58 Marneuli, 43 in in Bolnisi,
, however, the program did not prOve very effIcienT. ThE stAnDardS of tHe general abiliTY exaMs considered mandatory aNd non-MaNDatoRY wEre alTered in ORdER To aCcOmModAtE NoN-GeorGiaNs (for exAmple, the exAm oN GEorgian literATuRe became opTioNal) and a progrAm fUnding MiNorITy groUp sTudenTs wantINg to stUdy in the UNiTEd StatES was intRODuCed. ON the other hand, the LAW oN civil Service (adOpted iN 1998, bUT pREVioUslY applied seLeCtiveLY) which sTIpULATes THat all work be cArried out in gEorGian, waS eNfoRCed and, In effEcT, BarRed many ArmeNianS and AzeriS who haD Been schOOled in tHeir naTivE laNguaGEs NoT onLy FRom WOrKinG In tHe civil sErViCe, but Even ACCESsinG it Due tO insuFficient knowlEdgE of GEOrgIan.

ReLigioN

AzeRiS in GeOrgia aRe maiNlY Muslim, with 80% beinG ShiIte and 20% SunNi, a DiStiNcTion tHAt is noT feLt mUch due tO religiON noT oCCUPyIng an important part Of THEiR everydaY lives. gEoRgIA's constiTuTioN proVIDes foR relIGiOus freedOm, and AZErIs Have the OpPortunItY to AttEnd moSQues In the cOuntry. ThE largESt Shiite mosque IN Tbilisi was buILt IN 1524 By iSmaiL I oF Persia. In 1951, duRing THe coNstrUCtIon OF the MEtekhI bRIdGE the communist governMeNt ordeRed thE mosque to be deMolished. ThE sUNni mosquE was BUiLT between 1723 and 1735 by tHe OttOmans, but it WAs destroYed in 1740 By reinvaNding PersIANs. In 1864, it waS reStoRed And HEAdEd by the TereguLOVs, a fAmIly of VoLga tatar orIgiN whO haD seTtLed in TbilIsi two deCaDeS pRiOr tO that. sInce the dEmOliTiOn oF the SHIite moSque iN 1951, the shIiTE AzEris of TBIlISI havE aTtEndeD thE SUnni mOsquE (The Only MusLim temple In mODern tbIlIsi), wherE the Sunni and SHiIte sectionS wEre SeparaTED by a blacK curtain. In 1996, the new imam ordERed to reMovE the cUrtaIn and both DenOminatIonS Have prAyed toGetheR eVer SINce.

AlTHOuGh aBlE to preservE THeiR lingUiStic And reliGious identity, the AzERis In Georgia have UndErgoNE SoMe iNFlUEncEs FRom gEOrgian culture, suCh as mourniNg OVeR the body of THe dEcEased foR three dAys, whILe AzeriS elsewherE, as most MuSlIms, gENEraLly bury theIr dead on The day of dEAth beFOrE sunsEt.

DEmograPhIcs
in 2014, AzeRis conSTitUted a MajoriTy Or a sigNificAnT (over 10%) minOrity in the towns and villaGes acrOss thE foLlowing muNicIPalIties: 58 in MaRneuLi, 43 in DmanisI, 37 in bolNisi,
, however, the program did  not prove  very  ef fic ie nt.Thestandards of t h e ge neral ability exams co nside re d  man d at ory a nd non- m an d a tor ywe real t er ed in  or der toaccommodat e n on -Georgians ( f or  example,the  exam on Geo rgi an lit er atu r e bec ame  opti onal)a nd a p rogram fu nd i ng min o rity gr o u pstud ents wanting to s t ud y  in the United  State sw as i ntr odu ced. On th eother hand, t h eL a w  on Civil Service  (adopted i n  19 98, bu tpre v iously  appl ie d  se lectively)whic h stipula tes th a t all w o rk be c arried  ou t i n Ge o rg ia n,wa s  en f or ced and , in eff ec t,  barr ed m a n y Arme nia ns a nd Az eris who hadbee n sc h ool ed in  thei r na ti ve la nguage s not  o nly from workin g in  the civi l s er vic e,  bute ven ac ces sin g it du e to in s uff ic i e n tknowledge of Georg ia n . 
Religion 

Azer i sin Georgiaar e m ainl y Musli m, w i th  80% bei ng Shi i te  a nd 20%Su nni, a  d ist inc tiont hatis not  felt mu ch du e  to religion n o t occupying a n  i m p or t antpar t of theirever y daylive s .Geo r gia's  cons ti t ut i on provides for rel ig ious f reedo m, and Azeris  have theo p p ortunity  toa tt e nd mosques inthe c ountry. Th e  largest  Shii te mosqu e in Tbil i s i was bu ilt  in  15 24b y  I smail I of Pe r s ia.In  1951,dur ing the  co nst ruc tio nof the Me tekhi br id ge  t he  co mmuni s t govern me ntor der ed th e  mosqu e tobe d em ol i she d. TheS un n i  mos qu ewasbui lt  betw een1 723  and 17 35 by the  Ot t oman s,  b ut it w as destroyedin  1740 by r ei nva ndingP e rsians.In 1864, it was restore d  and he ade d bytheTeregulov s,a fami lyo f Volg a Tata r ori gi n w h o  hads e tt led  i n Tbilisit w o d ecade sprio r to th at. Since the demo l iti on of the Shi ite  mos q u ein1 95 1 , t he Shi i t e Azeris of Tbi lisi haveat t en ded the Su n nimo sque (t he only  Musl i m templ e in mode rn Tbilis i) , wh e r e t he Sunni a nd Shiit e section s  were se parat edby a b la ckcurta in. In 199 6, th e newim am ord eredto  removethe curtain and both de nomina tions  ha ve prayed  to g eth er ever s ince .

Althoug h a ble  to p res e rve t heir li ngu i sticandr eligiousi de nti t y ,the Azerisi n Geo rgiahav e  under gone  some influencesf rom Georgian c ultu r e , s uch as m ou rning over the  bo dy o f the de ce ased for th ree days ,w hileAzeris  elsew here, a s mo s t Musl ims,  ge nerally b ury  t h eir dea don the da y of  d eath b efores unse t . 

Demographics
I n 201 4 ,  Azer i s c onsti tu ted a m a jori ty or a si gnificant ( over 1 0%)minor ity inth e town s a nd  villagesa cross the  foll owing m un icip ali ties:58 i n Marne uli,  4 3 i n Dmanisi , 37 in  B o lni si,
, however,_the program_did not prove very_efficient. The_standards_of the_general_ability exams considered_mandatory and non-mandatory_were altered in order_to accommodate non-Georgians_(for_example, the exam on Georgian literature became optional) and a program funding minority group_students_wanting to_study_in_the United States was introduced._On the other hand, the_Law on_Civil Service (adopted in 1998, but previously applied_selectively)_which stipulates that_all work be carried out in Georgian, was enforced_and, in effect, barred many Armenians_and Azeris who_had_been_schooled in their native_languages not only from working in_the civil service, but even accessing_it due to insufficient knowledge of Georgian.

Religion

Azeris_in Georgia are mainly Muslim, with_80% being Shiite and 20%_Sunni, a_distinction that is not felt_much due to_religion not_occupying an important_part of their everyday lives. Georgia's_constitution provides for_religious freedom, and Azeris have the_opportunity_to attend mosques_in_the_country. The_largest Shiite mosque_in_Tbilisi was_built_in 1524 by Ismail I of_Persia._In 1951, during the construction of the_Metekhi bridge the communist_government_ordered the mosque to_be demolished. The Sunni mosque_was built between 1723 and 1735_by the_Ottomans, but_it was destroyed in 1740 by reinvanding Persians. In 1864, it_was restored and headed by the_Teregulovs, a family of_Volga Tatar_origin_who had settled_in_Tbilisi two_decades prior to that. Since the demolition_of the_Shiite mosque in 1951, the Shiite_Azeris of Tbilisi have_attended_the Sunni mosque (the only Muslim_temple in modern Tbilisi), where the_Sunni and Shiite sections were_separated_by_a black curtain. In 1996,_the new imam ordered to remove_the curtain and_both denominations have prayed together ever since.

Although_able_to preserve their linguistic and religious_identity,_the Azeris in Georgia have undergone_some_influences_from Georgian culture, such as_mourning over the body of the_deceased for three days, while Azeris elsewhere, as most_Muslims, generally bury_their dead on the day_of_death_before sunset.

Demographics
In 2014, Azeris constituted a majority or a significant_(over 10%)_minority in the_towns and villages across the following municipalities: 58 in Marneuli,_43 in Dmanisi, 37 in Bolnisi,