Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek has hosted an international scientific-practical conference on “Secularism and religion in the Post-Soviet space: aspects of historical, legal and philosophical outlook” co-organized by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies of Brigham Young University of the United States, the UNESCO Chair on world religions and cultures of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University and the Research Center for Religious Studies.

The conference participants discussed topics such as the concept of secularism and its basic principles, the political ideological context of religion, state-religion relations, and radicalization and extremism from different legal, historical and philosophical perspectives, and listened to speeches on the scientific and practical experience of post-Soviet countries in these areas.

The Conference brought together representatives from Russia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and other countries. Azerbaijan was represented at the Conference by Rahim Rahimov, an employee of Baku International Multiculturalism Center. Mr. Rahimov made a speech on the “Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism: theory and practice” at the plenary session of the conference titled “The principle of secularism and its implementation in post-Soviet states.” The speech focused on the unique scientific-practical and state policy aspects of multiculturalism implemented successfully by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as one of the key areas of state policy. The fact that Azerbaijani multiculturalism is, as emphasized by President Ilham Aliyev, both a state policy and a way of life was met with great interest by the conference participants, particularly those from the North America and Europe. The speech cited scientific analysis and opinions of Academician Kamal Abdulla, Professor Etibar Najafov and Dr. Ravan Hasanov.    

Press Service of Baku International Multiculturalism Center

28.10.2019