In our globalized world, conflicts between states and nations, cases of intolerance towards religious diversity have increased significantly in recent years. It is important to further develop tolerance and multiculturalism to ensure coexistence. Tolerance is no longer just a regulation of relations between different peoples, but has become a human value applied as a special political course at the state level.  If we look at history, we will see that tolerance has existed before. The term "Tolerance" was used for the first time in the 15th century in the sense of receiving permission from higher circles. The appreciation of tolerance as a political course applied by the state dates back to the times after the 16th century. However, in our modern world, this concept is regulated by special laws, it is reflected as an important provision in documents adopted by various organizations and institutions.

Multiculturalism and tolerance in Azerbaijan

        Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries that has played its exceptional role in the development of multiculturalism, interfaith and inter-ethnic relations for centuries. Under the leadership of the Great Leader, the policy of protection and development of the multinational traditions of the Azerbaijani people is successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev at a new stage. Today multiculturalism is an integral part of democratic processes in Azerbaijan. It is no coincidence that President Ilham Aliyev declared 2016 as the "Year of Multiculturalism" in Azerbaijan. 

        "Azerbaijan has played its role in the development of interfaith relations for centuries. Regardless of the socio-political structure, religious and national tolerance was at a very high level in Azerbaijan at all times. This is the feelings of the Azerbaijani people, at the same time, it is the policy of the independent state of Azerbaijan and the practical result of the work of religious institutions operating in Azerbaijan" - these views of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reflect the fact that tolerance is a lifestyle and culture of people in our country.  

         The people of Azerbaijan are hospitable people and have always shown a tolerant attitude towards religious diversity and have embraced the guests who visit our country. Currently, in Azerbaijan, along with Muslims, there are Orthodox, Roman Catholic denominations, Evangelical Lutherans, Evangelical Christian Baptists, 7th Day Adventists, Molokan spiritual Christians, Albanian-Udi Christian religious communities, European Ashkinazi Jews, Sephardic Jews who are Mountain Jews, Georgian Jews, non-traditional religious groups, Hare Krishnas, Bahais, and members of other religions live together in tolerance and peace, and perform their religious worship with ease.

"Kharibulbul" festival was an expression of solidarity of peoples with different cultures in our country

        The "Kharibulbul" festival held in Shusha was also an expression of the solidarity of peoples with different cultures in our country. The performances at the festival, which showcased the culture, music and dance traditions of different peoples living in Azerbaijan, gave a very important message about the high level of religious and ethnic tolerance in Azerbaijan. In his statement to our newspaper, Ravan Hasanov, executive director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center, said that Azerbaijan is a state that attaches great importance to multiculturalism, religious and national tolerance and implements it as a political line, known as one of the addresses of multiculturalism in the world. According to him, multiculturalism is the way of life of the Azerbaijani people: "The policy of multiculturalism, multicultural mood in our country has passed through the filter of history and has come to this day. More than 30 peoples, carriers of different cultures, have historically lived and live in Azerbaijan. Almost all religious denominations are freely represented. After gaining independence, the path of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who raised the protection of national-religious diversity to the level of state policy in Azerbaijan, is successfully continued today by the country's President Ilham Aliyev. On September 27, 2020, as soon as the counter-offensive operations against the Armenian provocations began on September 27, 2020, our people managed to unite and join the fight for the territorial integrity of our country, regardless of their religion, nationality, or where they live in the world."

        The executive director also added that our mosques, churches and synagogues were restored and renovated by the Azerbaijani state. Even new places of religious worship were put into use: "As stated in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the right of equality of all peoples living in Azerbaijan, as well as the right to speak and study in their native language, to represent the culture of protecting their belonging, and other rights are fully guaranteed."

        It was noted that multiculturalism is the state policy of Azerbaijan. The basis of this policy is the protection of ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural diversity of the country. Multiculturalism policy also strengthens the integration policy of the state. Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC) has an important place in the implementation of this policy: " Multiculturalism Center that I represent has been operating since 2014. During this period, a number of projects were implemented in the direction of protecting and promoting this diversity in our country. So, in recent times, we as the Center have actively participated in the projects that were carried out related to the restoration of our destroyed and vandalized cultural heritage in our territories freed from occupation and showing the brutality committed against our  heritage to the world. In addition, we have organized the visits of guests from abroad to those regions. As an example of this, I can mention the visit of a number of Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious community leaders from Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) to our country on October 25. I would like to emphasize that as part of the visit, foreign guests visited the cities of Ganja, Shusha and Aghdam in addition to Baku. They were given information about the civilians who lost their lives as a result of rocket fire in the city of Ganja. The extent of Armenian vandalism in the cities of Shusha and Aghdam was clearly shown to the guests." "On the one hand, Azerbaijan, where ethnic and religious confessional diversity prevails, and on the other hand, vandalism carried out by mono-ethnic and mono-confessional Armenia. We are talking about a nation and a state that does not respect the culture and cultural heritage of any nation or state, religious places of worship," said R. Hasanov.