Religion

Religion

Event entitled Interfaith Dialogue, Azerbaijan and Conflict Resolution held in London

22 June 2010 10:29 (UTC +04:00)

The TEAS told APA that speaking before a high-ranking delegation of religious figures from the UK and Azerbaijan, he went on to reveal that his homeland has a Jewish community of 30,000, rendering it unique in the region, which is dominated by mono-ethnic states.

Held from 17-19 June in London, this landmark event, entitled Interfaith Dialogue, Azerbaijan and Conflict Resolution, was aimed at raising awareness of the religious pluralism in the country. During the opening meeting, Lord Laird referred to his recent TEAS-facilitated trip to Azerbaijan, explaining its position at the crossroads of the world, which has resulted in the wide range of religious faiths practiced in the country.

Dr Rev Marcus Braybrooke, President, World Congress of Religions and Co-Founder of the Three Faiths Forum, referred to a recent comment by the Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, that countries should become â€œa community of communitiesâ€ and that â€œreligions have a special role in healing the wounds of conflict.â€ This stance was reiterated by Yousef Al-Koie of the Khoie Foundation, representing Shiâ€™a Muslims in the UK.

He was followed by Hidayat Orujov, Azerbaijani Chairman of the State Committee for Works with Religious Associations, who expressed the opinion that: â€œReligious tolerance should never be compromised. Tolerance has existed in Azerbaijan for centuries â€“ there are people in Azerbaijan from most countries in the world. Christianity entered the country around 2000 years ago with the establishment of the Caucasian Albanian church. All ethnic and religious groups exits as a friendly family, and Article 48 of the Azerbaijani Constitution related to freedom of conscience and religion.â€

Orujov contrasted this with Azerbaijanâ€™s neigbour, Armenia, which has attempted to develop a mono-ethnic, mono-religious state, expelling its Azerbaijani population and badging Christianity as the state religion. He explained who Armenian leaders have sought to harness religious justification for the continuing occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions, equating to 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territory. Orujov also revealed that alarming fact that Armenians have systematically distorted Albanian Christian monuments and buildings in the occupied regions in an attempt to make them appear as if they have Armenian heritage, thereby giving credence to their actions.

His sentiments were reinforced by Salman Musayev, Deputy Head of the Muslim Board for the Caucasus and leader of the Muslims in the Trans-Caucasus, who went on to comment: â€œGod has provided Azerbaijan with the gift of natural resources, but the real gift is religious tolerance. This continues, despite the presence of nearly one million Internally Displaced Persons and refugees in Azerbaijan, due to Armenian aggression. We share the joy and sorrow of our Christian and Jewish brothers. Tolerance can save the world, and in Azerbaijan it is a daily reality.â€

Semyon Shalmeyev, Deputy Chairman of the Mountain Jews, continued by explaining how its community has existed for 2,600 years, the Semitic community later being augmented by the European and Georgian Jewish communities. Zelmanovich explained that, until Azerbaijani independence in 1991, there had been one synagogue in Baku, but state support had resulted in the construction of six synagogues and two Jewish schools. Thereafter, a Declaration was signed by all participants, reaffirming the essential role of religion in bringing peoples and nations closer together and in resolving ongoing conflicts.

The delegation hereafter visited St. Ethelburgaâ€™s Center in Bishopsgate, City of London, where they exchanged views in the carpet-strewn Sacred Tent regarding respective attitudes to religious pluralism in Azerbaijan and the UK. Here, Musayev, revealed that Azerbaijan is home to many marriages between differing ethnic and religious groups, the country being devoid of prejudice; and that churches, mosques and synagogues assist each other financially.

The delegation concluded their day by attending Evensong at Westminster Abbey, thereafter going on a guided tour, and on Saturday visited the Russian Orthodox Church in London and London Central Mosque. They also held a meeting at the home of renowned philanthropist Sir Sigmund Sternberg Ostj, KCSG, JP, Co-Founder of the Three Faiths Forum; Founder and President of the Sternberg Foundation; and Founder of the Sternberg Center for Judaism.

This was an invaluable visit, revealing the facts about faith in both countries to both UK and Azerbaijani attendees. Orujov explained how moderates should be the leading force in the future of religions across the world, expressing a wish for a similar event to be held next year in a larger format. He stated that the role of interfaith dialogue cannot be underestimated, as it serves to ensure that: â€œThe problems of yesterday are not those of tomorrow.â€