A roundtable discussion on the topic “The Holocaust through the eyes of contemporaries” was held at the Baku International Multiculturalism Center on January 27. George Dick, ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan, leaders of national and religious communities operating in Azerbaijan and university teachers took part in the event.  
First, the memory of the heroic sons of Azerbaijan who died in the struggle for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our country, as well as the victims of the Khojaly genocide and the Holocaust, was commemorated with a minute of silence.
The moderator of the event, Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center opened the round table with an introductory speech, noting that the Holocaust is one of the terrible crimes committed against humanity and mankind. Executive Director, reminding that genocide has also been committed against the Azerbaijani people at various times in history emphasized that, we will not forget either the Holocaust or Khojaly. Expressing regret at the widespread spread of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in some European countries, Ravan Hasanov mentioned that politicizing the factors of religion and freedom is unacceptable. He said that there is a strong Jewish heritage in Azerbaijan, and that Jews live freely and independently in our country. He stated that, Jews living in our country gave their lives in the struggle for the freedom of Azerbaijan. R. Hasanov pointed out the fact that the events that took place in the darkest moments of history should not continue until the end. Coexistence and a peaceful approach are essential for the sake of humanity and the future. 
Israeli Ambassador to our country, George Dick, stated that: today, event participants gathered to remember the Jews who perished as a result of Holocaust and all victims of Nazi oppression. Not forgetting such events, we can prevent these incidents from happening again. He also said that they respectfully commemorate the memory of more than 300,000 Azerbaijanis who lost their lives in World War II. The ambassador pointed out that Azerbaijan is a beacon in the region that shows how people of all religions can live together in harmony and freedom. He thanked Azerbaijan on behalf of the Israeli people.
As speakers at the event, Milikh Yevdayev, Head of the Mountain Jewish Community in Azerbaijan, Alexander Sharovsky, Head of the Baku Religious Community of European Jews, Shneor Segal, Chief Rabbi of the Baku Religious Community of European Jews, Jahandar Alifzade, Head of Department of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Anar Gafarov, Head of the Department of Religious Studies of the Azerbaijan Theological Institute, Joseph Marek, Representative of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan pointed out that genocides and massacres are acts against humanity and that they do not match within the framework of either religion or law. 
We must remind that  January 27th is celebrated annually as International Holocaust Remembrance Day under the relevant resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 1, 2005. During the Holocaust, more than 6 million Jews were killed, 1.5 million of them were children.