OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

Heartfelt and deepest congratulations on the special occasion of your 64th birthday on 24 December 2024.

As I join millions of your admirers worldwide in celebrating this milestone, I am honored and humbled to call you-a great statesman, a committed internationalist, and a compassionate leader-my dear friend.

I applaud the extraordinary leadership you are providing on many vital causes in Azerbaijan and around the world, particularly your generosity of spirit and unfailing courage towards the Jewish community at home and abroad.

You are a robust force for good, who uses your enormous prominence in pursuit of the common good. Accept my warm congratulations on your outstanding stewardship and leadership of this year's Baku Forum and COP29. Both gatherings were a triumph for the people and the planet, and I was honored to address both the Global Summit of Religious Leaders on 5-6 November and Forum in May.

The Summit and the Forum exemplified your steadfast commitment to strengthening the values of religious tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and multiculturalism that has established Azerbaijan as a global icon of peaceful co-existence for this and each future generation seeking a world in which religions and cultures can live in peace, dignity, and security.

Mr. President, if we could all live up to just one fraction of the high standards you have set for yourself, then our world would be a far better place.

I give thanks for your life. I pray that you may enjoy many more years of wisdom and hope to continue to inspire us to embrace, anew, diversity and shared human dignity, while seeking ways to advance mutual respect and understanding.

With the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for your good health and well-being, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the beloved people of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I remain

Yours in friendship,

Rabbi Marc Schneier

President of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding