Religion

Religion

Azerbaijani President: Representatives of all religions live peacefully as one family in Azerbaijan

23 December 2011 04:51 (UTC +04:00)

The President noted that the Azerbaijani people is faithful to their religious and spiritual traditions. "We believe that the work in this area should be even faster. In Azerbaijan, fully guarantee freedom of religion and conscience. We - the people, faithful to our holy religion - Islam. We need to promote Islamic values in the world. For this purpose, Azerbaijan spends a lot of work - as believers of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani state. We must not only promote our own religion, but also to protect it from unwarranted attacks", - he said.

The President expressed regret that sometimes occur unfair attacks on the Islamic religion, there are trends of Islamophobia, in some of the media being slanderous campaign against the Islamic religion. â€œOur religious values lie in the fact that it is necessary to help, helping to the poor. This is a universal human value. All of these human values reflected in the Islamic religionâ€, - Aliyev said.

The President reminded that the focus on the past year took place in Baku in the First International humanitarian forum has also been subject of religious tolerance, tolerance, cooperation of people professing different religions.

Azerbaijan is ready to share their experiences in addressing these issues. "I am very pleased that our experience has been studied. In Azerbaijan, representatives of all religions live peacefully as one family. Azerbaijan has never been and Iâ€™m sure will never be any confrontation, any misunderstanding on religious or ethnic grounds. I am absolutely sure that the person, who respects their religion, must respect for other religions. Interreligious dialogue should be further strengthened. On this issue there are different views and approaches", - President said.

Head of the State noted that one of the themes of the First International Humanitarian Forum was the topic of multiculturalism. This topic has been included in the agenda on the initiative of Azerbaijan, as this is a great need. "Because in the world today there are different approaches, sound opinions, some say that multiculturalism already dead, multiculturalism has no future. Activities of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan example show that multiculturalism is alive. One of its addresses is precisely Azerbaijan, there are other addresses. Alternatives to multiculturalism do not. An alternative to multiculturalism - is self-isolationâ€, - he said.

According to the President, Azerbaijan wants the world reinforced the positive trends, the trends of cooperation, friendship, brotherhood, and a very large role in this belongs to the religious leaders. "For our part we will continue to take initiatives. Azerbaijan is home to all the people living there. A representative of the people is our esteemed citizen. We treat people of all religions with great respect and sympathy. Today in Azerbaijan Christian churches, Catholic Church, Jewish synagogue, located next to mosques. This is the reality of Azerbaijan, our contribution to the worldâ€™s treasury. I believe that our experience has not been studied up to standard. If it is understood, then I am absolutely convinced that the current situation we can use as a model", - the President said.

At the same time, the President emphasized that religious and public relations are basis for the successful development of any country. These communication services in Azerbaijan are also subject to very high levels.

Welcoming muftis of the North Caucasus participated in the ceremony Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that their participation in this wonderful event is a symbol of our friendship.