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Baku hosts OIC conference Role of Media in the Development of Tolerance and Mutual Understanding

26 April 2007 11:51 (UTC +04:00)

Ali Hasanov, head of the socio-political department of Presidentâ€™s Office read Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevâ€™s letter to the conference participants.
The head of state in his letter welcomed such a conference in Azerbaijan as the most important event stressing that Azerbaijan is recognized as a splendid example of tolerance in the world. He also stressed the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenian Armed Forces, and its negative impact on the development of the country. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov addressing the conference called Azerbaijan the most suitable place for holding this conference.
Mammadyarov stated that Azerbaijanâ€™s policy on national minorities is successful. He stressed that over 250,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia were subject to ethnic cleansing while many Armenians enjoyed equal rights in Azerbaijan.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, OIC Secretary General addressing the conference said there are many religious confessions in Azerbaijan and called tolerance and understanding the important factor for together living. The Secretary General said that Islam is deliberately interpreted as a religion of extremism in the West with the purpose of arousing fury against it. Mr.Ihsanoglu said the media can play a major role in removing such a situation. He also said that a special human rights organization will be set up in the framework of the OIC.
â€œWe should maintain the real essence of Islam,â€ he said.
Co-chair of the conference, former President of Romania Ion Ilescu addressing the conference said that tolerance and understanding will play a great role in the society. The other co-chair of the conference, ISESCO Director General Dr. Abdulaziz Othamn Altwaijri called tolerance the best way against extremism.
Following this, the video of the speech by Secretary General of Council of Europe Terry Davis has been demonstrated. Mr. Davis spoke on the diversity of cultures, importance of dialogue and said that media is responsible for it. The Secretary General saying that the freedom of expression is one of the main principles of the democracy, said that journalistsâ€™ role is great in achieving this. The conference continues. /APA/