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Ganira Pashayeva: Believers of different religions should not only demonstrate tolerance but also respect for each other

12 April 2011 18:50 (UTC +04:00)

According to APAâ€™s European bureau, Azerbaijani MP expressed concern about the growing intolerance and xenophobia in the world.

"We have to examine carefully the causes and struggle against these tendencies," she said.

According to her, along with some religious communities, also non-governmental organizations, politicians and the media are responsible. The statements often made by European politicians lead to the growth of intolerance and xenophobia. Confrontation, wars, ethnic cleansing is reality of the todayâ€™s world, she said.

Pashayeva noted that different countries hold conferences and forums dedicated to intercultural dialogue, but it does not have a positive impact on the current situation. "On the contrary the number of people who take the religious sentiments of people abusing religious shrines incite hatred. Regardless of religious affiliation, we strongly condemn such acts", - she said.

She recalled that burning of the Holy Book of Muslims by an American religious figure led to other atrocities.

According to her believers of different religions should not only demonstrate tolerance but also respect for each other. It is necessary to explain the importance of intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue to the new generation for to prevent severe consequences of intolerance and hatred in the future.

She recalled that in 1988, the Armenian authority has carried out ethnic cleansing and entire Azerbaijani population was expelled from the country. As a result of this policy 20 thousand of Azerbaijanis were killed, one million people became refugees.