POLITICS
MEETING AT THE CAUCASUS MOSLEM CLERICAL OFFICE
Mr. Pashazadeh updated the guest on the situation of religion in Azerbaijan and introduced heads of Orthodox and Judaic religions. He stressed that Azerbaijan had always been tolerant towards other religions and Muslim, Christian and Judaic religions peacefully co-exist here for ages. Our peoples mark holidays together. This policy was initiated by nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and now is continued by his political successor President Ilham Aliyev. We think that religious dialogue should also be conducted in a legal milieu, sheikh said.
Folker Ruhe expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and noted that Azerbaijan is known not only for its oil but also tolerance.
It is great that you are living peacefully together. We came here from Afghanistan where the religious aspect is pivotal. Your country shows an example of peaceful co-existence of different religious confessions and toleration. Such situation is difficult to imagine in the Middle East.
Head of Baku and Caspian Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, father Alexander and head of mountainous Jews community Semen Ikhiilov stressed that there was no religious and national confrontation in Azerbaijan. The lack of religious confrontation in Caucasus is the result of our joint work, they said.