THE VISIT OF THE AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION TO THE US STATE OF UTAH CONTINUES

A delegation of Azerbaijani religious figures and heads of state institutions, led by the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, continues its visit to the US state of Utah.   
Azerbaijani guests visited the head office and facilities of the "Charity Place" organization in Salt Lake City, which has gained a reputation for its traditions of humanitarian aid around the world on March 1 and were also interested in his many years of rich experience in organizing relief efforts not only in the United States of America, but also in various parts of the world. According to Peter Nelson, responsible official at the organization, "Charity place" created owing to donations now reminds a huge industrial complex, encompassing dozens of agricultural and processing and packaging enterprises, a transport and trade network, employment centers, etc. During humanitarian missions 60 percent of the raw materials for agricultural and food products distributed to those in need is grown on the organization's own fields and purchased from livestock farms. The organization, founded under the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been organizing charity events on an international scale since 1983. Last year alone, nearly one billion US dollars in humanitarian aid was provided for for those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts in various countries of the world, for the unemployed, people who have lost their ability to work, and for low-income families. At the same time, «Charity place» has also taken care of people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria this year and continues its aid actions. Piter Nelson also emphasized that,  people's religious, racial, or ethnic origin is not taken into account by organization that bases its work on the motto "Love for God, Love for People"while implementing humanitarian aid actions. It is no accident that the work experience of the "Place for Charity" organization is being studied and applied in a number of countries. Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazadeh also touched upon the possibility of implementing this experience in Azerbaijan during the conversation. The church's activities in the field of demining in the liberated territories will remain in the memory of future generations forever.
One of the interesting meetings was held at the Utah State Conference Center with Ronald Rashband, a member of the Church of the Twelve Apostles, an elder of the religious community. He demonstrated his rich knowledge of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. He noted that "the tolerant environment in Azerbaijan arouses serious interest in the younger generation. I am sure that we will achieve common deveopment as a result of your and our joint efforts”. Community elder R. Rashband stated that he was also pleased that Azerbaijan had cleansed its lands of the remnants of fascism. Now is the time to establish mutually beneficial and healthy relations between our states, and to obtain achievements in the economic and cultural spheres.
The meeting of Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, and Khazar Ibrahim, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United States of America, and the Azerbaijani delegation with Russell Nelson, the 99-year-old high priest and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was also interesting. Mr. Nilsson stated during the meeting that, Azerbaijan and Utah are bound by strong friendship bonds. He noted that, the traditional international council of the church will be convened in April of this year. Prayers will be said for Azerbaijan which is fighting for justice and the return of occupied lands and is currently carrying out large-scale development, construction and restoration works.  
The main topic of conversation at the meeting with Utah Vice Governor Deidre Nenderson at the Senate building was the prospects for developing relations.

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