Religion

Religion

Ilham Aliyev: Religious leaders play big part in restoration of peace in Caucasus

01 December 2016 07:05 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Mubariz Aslanov – APA. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the international conference “Traditions of religious tolerance in the Caucasus and Azerbaijan’s model of multiculturalism” that kicked off in Baku Dec. 1.

Kamal Abdullayev, Azerbaijan's state adviser on inter-ethnic, multicultural and religious affairs, read out the president’s message.

“A variety of nations living in the region have historically enjoyed good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation based on the robust tolerance traditions, mutual respect and trust. Islam, as a bearer of universal values, has played an important role in the formation and development of such relations,” President Aliyev said in his message. “In a globalizing world there are such undesirable phenomena as complicated socio-political processes, conflicts on ethnic and religious grounds, racial discrimination, religious extremism and Islamophobia.”

“In the fight against such phenomena, which constitute a threat to international security and prosperity of people, there is a need for calls of heavenly religions for peace, mercy, compassion and solidarity, as well as inter-civilization dialogue and cooperation,” said the Azerbaijani president. “From this point of view, discussing at the conference topics related to the traditions of multiculturalism and tolerance in Azerbaijan is of great scientific, social and political importance.”

Ilham Aliyev noted that the Azerbaijani state pays special attention to preservation and further development of historical and cultural heritage, ethnic and cultural diversity, multiculturalism and relies on national historical traditions and norms of the international law in regulation of relationship between state and religion.

“Religious leaders play a big part in the restoration of lasting peace and stability, promotion of human values and true essence of Islam, timely prevention of dangerous religious movements in the Caucasus that is our common and native home,” the president said, adding. “It is of great importance that moral ties bring together members of the Supreme Religious Council of the Caucasus Peoples. The activities of members and head of the Council, chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office in this regard are praiseworthy.”

“I am confident that this international conference will be held in the atmosphere of understanding and solidarity, as well as will contribute to further strengthening of friendly and brotherly relations between our people and countries,” President Aliyev concluded.