Tourism

Tourism

Azerbaijan, Iraq to sign protocol of understanding on religious tourism

15 April 2009 15:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva â€“ APA. On Wednesday, Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikh-al-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh received Iraqi Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Kahtan Abbas al-Juburi, press service of the Office told APA. Pashazadeh said Azerbaijani pilgrims were always looking toward the pilgrimage to Iraq, but they couldnâ€™t do it in recent years because of no guarantee for their security in Iraq. Pashazadeh said it was necessary to sign protocol of understanding for restoration of the visits. The guest spoke about the historic relations between Iraq and Azerbaijan and said they intended to develop relationship further. The Iraqi minister said Azerbaijan and Iraq were connected with religious ties as well, and unfortunately the Azerbaijani pilgrims were restricted in their visits to Iraqi shrines in recent years. The Iraqi minister said they would take necessary measures for signing of protocol of understanding. The minister invited the Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office to visit Iraq in near future and said all these issues, including the pilgrim visa, would find its solution soon. Touching upon the Pashazadehâ€™s concern over the condition of great Azerbaijani poet Mohammad Fuzuliâ€™s grave in Iraq, the Iraqi minister said Fuzuliâ€™s grave in Kerbela would be reconstructed. Iraqi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Arshad Omar Ismayil also attended the meeting.