Baku, 5 March

On 5 March Baku is hosting an International Conference “From Interfaith and Inter-civilizational Dialogue to Cooperation” jointly organized by the State Committee for the Work with Religious Organizations and the Caucasian Muslims’ Office.

The event is attended by the state, governmental and public representatives, the leaders of the religious communities in our country and foreign guests.

Opening the event, the Chair of the State Committee for the Work with Religious Organizations Mubariz Gurbanli spoke of the relations between the state and religion in Azerbaijan. The Chair of the Committee, who stated that President Ilham Aliyev declared 2016 as “The Year of Multiculturalism” and 2017 as “The Year of Islamic Solidarity”, pointed out that different local and international events have been organized jointly with the Caucasian Muslims’ Office. He stated that such kind of events will sustainably be held.

The Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims’ Office Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh spoke in the conference and said that great importance has always been attached to national and universal values in Azerbaijan. Respect towards the religious-moral legacy, the dialogue of diverse cultures, the traditions of tolerance are at an extremely high level. National and religious tolerance is supported at the state level. Ethnic and religious diversity is appraised as a national asset of our country. “This is the source of our pride. Naturally, here political will is of great importance. The relations between religion and state are founded by the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev and at present are being continued and developed. President Ilham Aliyev is an active advocate of the idea of multiculturalism, the author of “Baku process” on intercultural cooperation. Our country has already turned into a traditional venue where grand international events on intercultural and interreligious dialogue, including the World Summit of Religious Leaders are held,” emphasized the Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims’ Office.

The President of the US Foundation for Ethnic Understanding Mark Schneier stated that Azerbaijan can be an example to the entire states for its interfaith and inter-confessional relations. Here multiculturalism enjoys the most beautiful form. Tolerance, religious endurance have been shaped in Azerbaijan for hundreds of years. The Azerbaijani President makes all kinds of efforts to maintain these relations.

The Head of the Department of Interethnic Relations, Multiculturalism and Religious Issues of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan Etibar Najafov spoke at the conference and touched upon the achievements of our country in the relations between state and religion. He stated that this is one of the priorities of the state policy of Azerbaijan. Our country recognizes and protects each citizen’s right to freedom of religion; everybody is equal before the law. This has found its reflection in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well.

E.Najafov pointed out that religious communities in our country get financial aids; mosques, churches and synagogues are repaired.

Bahar Muradova, who said that multiculturalism is the Azerbaijani people’s lifestyle, stated that today Azerbaijan has turned into the centre of a dialogue in the world, earned an image of a country making calls for peace. “Our country follows the goals of sustainable development at high level. It has achieved great successes in the guarantee of human rights and freedoms. Azerbaijan follows all its commitments before the UN seriously. Our country has basically maintained the freedom of faith,” emphasized Bahar Muradova.

The conference is still going on.