AZERBAIJAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS ADOPT JOINT STATEMENT
A joint statement of the leaders of religious confessions in Azerbaijan was read out during a press conference held November 10 at the Office of Caucasian Muslims in Baku on the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance to be marked on November 16.
The statement reads that in the contemporary period of globalization, integration and mass migration, religious tolerance acquires a particular importance. All the major religions underscore the importance of tolerance, which, in a broad sense, means respect to a free choice of an individual and acceptance of universal human rights.
For us, the International Day of Tolerance also means a continuation of the traditions laid down by nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev, who was an initiator of declaring, for the first time in the region, an international day of tolerance (November 16).
Religious tolerance and ethnic harmony in our country are enshrined in the legislation in compliance with international norms. Azerbaijan has joined all international conventions on human rights. Today, thanks to tireless efforts by President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan leads the region not only in economic indicators and socio-political stability but also in the level of tolerance. That is why the global community and international organizations cite our country’s model of state-religion relationship as an example.
The leaders of religious confessions expressed confidence that thanks to peaceful and purposeful policy of the republic’s leadership and with the support of the global community, the occupied lands of Azerbaijan will be liberated and over a million of refugees and internally displaced persons will return to their homes.
The joint statement was signed by Head of the Office of Caucasian Muslims sheikh ul-Islam hajji Allahshukur Pashazade, bishop of the Baku and Trans-Caspian eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Alexander Ishein, Head of the Mountainous Jews Community Semen Ikhiilov, Head of the European Jews Community Gennadiy Zelmanovich and superintendent of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan Jan Chapla.
Also present at the press conference was Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Religious Organizations Idayat Orudjov.
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