On the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, a conference on "Tolerance as a way to peace and cooperation" was held in Baku on November 16, jointly organized by Baku International Multiculturalism Center, the Caucasus Muslims’ Board and the US Stirling Foundation. 
Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board greeted everyone at the event dedicated to November 16 - the International Day for Tolerance, organized in Azerbaijan, a country of tolerance and multicultural values, and said that the purpose of the conference is based on serving the ideals of peace and mutual understanding inspired by Allah. It was noted that our diversity, which is the grace of our Almighty Creator, helps us to get to know each other better, as it is said in our holy book "The Holy Quran". 
"Multicultural values and tolerance are supported at the state level in multi-ethnic and multi-confessional Azerbaijan, known for its historically formed traditions of tolerance, that values ethnic and religious diversity as its national wealth. The years of Multiculturalism, Islamic Solidarity, announced by the President Ilham Aliyev, and the Intercultural Dialogue Forum, which he authored, serves human solidarity in the world. At this point, we should remember our great leader Heydar Aliyev, a prominent person who rendered great services for the independence of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region in general. On the eve of the commemoration days of our great leader, whose birth will be centenary next year, we commemorate with great gratitude the historical steps taken by this great man for our state, our people, and the revival of our national and moral values. As an independent state, the foundation of Azerbaijan's society, which refers to the harmony of religious and cultural diversity, was established thanks to the Azerbaijani ideology of our national leader Heydar Aliyev, the author of the phrase "High tolerance is a manifestation of high culture". Follower of this successful political course, President Ilham Aliyev valued multiculturalism as both a way of life and state policy in Azerbaijan. The First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, with her unique activity in the field of promoting multiculturalism on a global scale, serves to make Azerbaijan a voice at the international level in the direction of inter-civilizational dialogue and cooperation," said the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board.  
Speaking about Azerbaijan's Victory, Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh noted that the leaders of religious communities operating in our country were together during the 44-day Patriotic War, as always, and that we raised our voices to the world together. He said that the world conflicts, humanitarian catastrophes, unceasing conflicts, hate calls that incite aggression and violence become dangerous for humanity and worry us all. We pray for the restoration of peace in the world. We strongly condemn any manifestations of radicalism under the guise of freedom of speech and religion, as well as anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Christianophobia, especially cases of insulting the holy places, values and attributes of religions. In order to solve global problems, it is necessary for humanity to rely on religious and moral values. But on the contrary, in real life we come across cases of misuse of religion for political purposes. We invite monoethnic Armenia to put an end to hateful calls for aggression, ideas of revanchism, and call for peaceful and friendly neighborliness. The joint cooperation of state leaders, social and religious leaders is absolutely essential in maintaining peace, which is above all problems today.
Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh emphasized: "Azerbaijan is one of the rare places in the world where religious discrimination is not allowed, religious communities operating in our country have equal rights, they are surrounded by the attention and care of the state, followers of different denominations pray equally in the same mosque. It is an important value that we have a rare example of inter-religious and inter-denominational solidarity. Our goal of promoting this value at the international level for the sake of universal interests recognizes Azerbaijan as the traditional address of global international events on intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The commendable activity of Baku International Multiculturalism Center in the direction of promoting and teaching the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism as a subject in our country and abroad is of particular importance in presenting our values to the world. 
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Baku International Multiculturalism Center, rector of Azerbaijan University of Languages, academician Kamal Abdulla added that tolerance and multiculturalism are supported at the state level in our country. Noting, the experience of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan is taught in higher educational institutions of many countries of the world, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Baku International Multiculturalism Center expressed his confidence that the conference on "Tolerance as a way to peace and cooperation" will contribute to peace and security. 
Mubariz Gurbanli, the chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations, said that Azerbaijan is one of the world's exemplary countries in the field of tolerance and multiculturalism. Pointing out that the Day of Tolerance is celebrated in Azerbaijan at a high level, the chairman of the committee pointed out that the ways out of the world's crises and solutions to existing problems are possible only through tolerance and multiculturalism. 
Ravan Hasanov, executive director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center, noted that the policy of tolerance implemented by Azerbaijan creates the foundation for further strengthening of friendship and brotherhood between the ethnic and religious communities living in our country. All this indicates that President Ilham Aliyev is worthily continuing the strategic line laid down by the great leader Heydar Aliyev. "Today is the time to create new collaborations and further develop relations. This is required by time and world processes. It is very important today to unite for peace and security. People of different religions live in peaceful and friendly conditions in Azerbaijan. We believe that the conference will contribute to peace and cooperation", said the executive director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center.
"It is a remarkable event that we come together on the International Day for Tolerance," said Edward Rowe, president of the Stirling Foundation, adding that the US state of Utah shares traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism with Azerbaijan. "Representatives of more than 100 nationalities live in our state. This conference will allow Azerbaijan and Utah to get closer to each other, and strengthen our relations between our countries despite our diversity," concluded Edward Rowe.
After the end of the official part of the event, the panel discussions started. Within the framework of the conference dedicated to the International Day for Tolerance, two panel meetings were held on the topics "A new stage of US-Azerbaijani cooperation: multiculturalism as a connecting bridge" and "Tolerance and Multiculturalism: Religious Perspectives".
The first panel on "A new stage of US-Azerbaijan cooperation: multiculturalism as a connecting bridge" was moderated by Nicole Stirling, vice president of the Stirling Foundation (USA). 
The guests from the USA, Michael K. Mckell, senator of the Utah State Senate, and Miles Hansen, executive director of the Utah World Trade Center, noted that Azerbaijan is a tolerant country in the world, and its experience has been learned. It was noted that Azerbaijan conducts avant-garde policy and this is an example for many countries. 
Emphasizing that Azerbaijan is a model of coexistence, Esmira Jafarova, a member of the management board of the Center of Analysis of International Relations, spoke about Azerbaijan-US relations. She noted the role of the oil contract of the century in the development of relations between two countries. Noting that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in the field of oil and energy, E. Jafarova emphasized the importance of building a bridge between the two continents. She said that the United States can contribute to the reconstruction and construction works in the liberated lands of Azerbaijan. 
President of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association (USA) Cole Durham, who expressed his pleasure to participate in the conference in Azerbaijan, said that as a person interested in multiculturalism, he studies and researches different religions and different legal societies. "When I was in Azerbaijan for the first time, there were moments that caught my attention. Once again, I was convinced that stability is not actually the same thing, but the unity of different religions, multiculturalism and tolerance," added C. Durham.
Speaking about the Azerbaijani model of tolerance, Agil Shirinov, the rector of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, called it a national treasure. "The people of Azerbaijan have never been radical. This is confirmed by historians and travelers. Islam recommends uniting, not dividing. Azerbaijan has always been the center of tolerance in the South Caucasus," said the rector.
The second panel on "Tolerance and Multiculturalism: Religious Perspectives" was moderated by Aytan Gahraman, advisor of Baku International Multiculturalism Center. Noting that inter-religious relations are always high in our country, the moderator said that Azerbaijan supports the restoration of destroyed monuments and places in Versailles, Louvre, Vatican and other places of the world. 
Erich W. H. Kopischke, first counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (USA) noted that he was amazed to see people of different denominations praying together while he was at the Heydar Aliyev Mosque. Noting that a person's freedom is reflected in his religious beliefs, the speaker added that the freedom of people in their religious beliefs is one of the main pillars of tolerance.  
Head of the Religious Community of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan, Melih Yevdayev, said that the high culture of the Azerbaijani people allows the representatives of dozens of nations to live together in this country, and he valued this as the highest level of tolerance.
Then speakers - Avais Ahmed, chairman of Utah Muslim Civic League,
Archimandrite Alexey Nikonorov, secretary of the Baku and Azerbaijan Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Samuel L. Spector, chief rabbi of Utah Jewish Community (USA), Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan,, and Alexander Sharovsky, head of Baku Religious Community of European Jews, spoke about Azerbaijan's traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism, and noted the importance of coexistence for peace, security, and tranquility.
The conference continued with discussions.