On November 25, a presentation ceremony was held for the book titled “Azerbaijani Multiculturalism: The Treasure of Ethnic Diversity,” published with joint financial support from Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC) and Moral Values Promotion Fund. Printed in English and in an elegant design, the book deals with the culture of the ethnicities living in Azerbaijan.  

Before the start of the presentation ceremony, a short film titled “The Gate of Tolerance of the East,” based on a story by 4th year student of Azerbaijan Pedagogical University Kanan Mammadov was displayed.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Executive Director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center Ravan Hasanov noted that multiculturalism leads to the mutual enrichment of cultures in a society and the formation of a culture that unites peoples. The executive director spoke about the multiculturalism traditions in Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of the book.

Professor Etibar Najafov, Head of the Department of Interethnic Relations, Multiculturalism and Religious Issues of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said Azerbaijan is one of the countries with the most developed level of multiculturalism. According to him, in addition to being part of the state policy of Azerbaijan, multiculturalism has also become a way of life for our people. “Members of different nationalities and religions have lived and continue to live in Azerbaijan in a peaceful and friendly environment for centuries. Referring to a context in which many different cultures live together, multiculturalism is the most successful model for regulating the ethnic diversity in a society. Adopted on November 2, 2001, the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity suggests that cultural diversity is a source of creativity and development,” Najafov said.  

“The National Leader used to say that the more nationalities a state/country unites, the richer it becomes. Azerbaijan is a country where different nationalities coexist peacefully. There are countries that oppose religious and cultural diversity and do not want other nationalities to live in their country. One of such countries is our despicable neighbor Armenia. As early as in 1930s, they had an extreme nationalist named Garegin Nzhdeh who allied with the fascist Germany during the period of Great Patriotic War. During his speech at a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State in Ashgabat, the President of Azerbaijan strongly condemned the erection of a monument to such a person. The state and people of Azerbaijan welcome and support ethnic diversity and multiculturalism. The newly published book confirms this,” the department head of the Presidential Administration added. Mr. Najafov thanked the people who contributed to the publication of the book.

Mubariz Gurbanli, Chairman of the Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, said the book is of great importance in delivering the truths of Azerbaijan to the world. “In my opinion, this book will be one of the best ‘information weapons’ in PR campaign against the aggressor and occupant Armenia. We should use our resources in this ‘information war’. There are eight billion people in the world and 25 nationalities with a population of 50 million, one of whom are Azerbaijanis. Like BIMC, Moral Values Promotion Fund also publishes books on a regular basis. Important work is being done in raising global awareness about our history and culture,” Gurbanli emphasized.  The Chairman of the State Committee added that serving as the host for the Second Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders, our country once again showed the world that it is a tolerant country. “The President’s speech at the Summit was met with interest by religious leaders, who became eyewitnesses of the atmosphere of tolerance and multiculturalism prevailing in our country,” he noted. Gurbanli said the promotion and protection of moral and religious values has always been at the forefront, and he underlined the importance of the distribution of an electronic version of the book.

Mehman Ismayilov, Executive Director of Moral Values Promotion Fund, stated that it is the second year that Baku International Multiculturalism Center and Moral Values Promotion Fund implement a series of joint projects. Ismayilov said multiculturalism is one of the key characteristics of a tolerant society that welcomes the integrated coexistence of different cultures. Speaking about the importance of the book, Ismayilov said the English-language publication is a means of delivering the truths of Azerbaijan to the world.

Fuad Nurullayev, Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, noted that the religion of Islam calls all people to unity. According to him, the President always shows attention and care for members of different religions in our country.  Every year, representatives of different religions are invited to Ramadan meals and have a joint dinner. During the Second Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders, the religious leaders were pleased and satisfied with what they saw in our country.   

Professor Maisa Rahimova, Director of the Archeology and Ethnography Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Mukhtar Imanov, Director of the Folklore Institute of ANAS, Jeyhun Mammadov, Rector of the Institute of Theology, and representatives of ethnic nationalities, i.e. Ahmade Hapo, Elder of the Kurdish community, Robert Mobili, Head of the Albanian-Udi Christian Community, Father Methodius and others talked about the multiculturalism traditions in Azerbaijan.

At the end of the event, the authors of the book, Head of UNEC Multiculturalism Center Prof. Mahabbat Pashayeva and BIMC employee Araz Gurbanov informed the participants about how the book came to fruition.