On the occasion of the Feast of Ramadan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Baku on November 24.

Having sincerely welcomed the diplomats Head of Azerbaijan State Ilham Aliyev said:

Dear ambassadors, I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of the upcoming Feast of Ramadan. I ask you to extend my congratulations, greetings and best wishes to the Heads of States and Governments you represent here.

The bilateral relations with the fraternal Muslim countries are successfully developing. We attach a great importance to these relations, help and support each other. I am confident that all the Muslim states will be closer to one another in the future and our nations will live in peace.

Azerbaijan officially celebrates this holiday only after regaining its independence. However, this holiday has always been celebrated in Azerbaijan and dwelt in Azerbaijan people’s hearts.

I avail myself of this opportunity and congratulate all the Muslims around the world on this holiday.

We regret that Islam is equated with terrorism in some world nooks. We condemn these attempts. Muslim states proved to be victims of terror in the history. In particular, Azerbaijan suffered terrorist acts by Armenian terrorist organizations. These attempts are doomed to fail. Islam is the religion of peace, fraternity and tolerance.

As the independent state, Azerbaijan has first become the member of the Organization of Islamic Conference and actively participated in this organization. I am sure that bilateral relations with Muslim states will be deepened. Our states will further unite.

I once more congratulate all you on the occasion of the Feast of Ramadan. Congratulations.

Speaking on behalf of the Muslim diplomatic representatives in Baku Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Abdulgafur Abdulrahmanov said:

Dear Mr. President!

First of all, I want to my gratitude for affording time to receive us despite being pressed for time.

Mr. President let me once again congratulate you on behalf of the ambassadors of Muslim states participating in the meeting on your election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and wish you robust health and great successes in you responsible work for the sake of happiness, peace and progress of the fraternal Azerbaijan nation. We all closely watch the events taking place in Azerbaijan and are sincerely proud of accomplishments achieved lately under the guidance of President Heydar Aliyev. We are witnesses of prevention of civil war in Azerbaijan that could have turned into fraternal slaughter, reaching agreement on cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia, successful implementation of democratic and economic reforms in Azerbaijan, state oil strategy, admission to the Council of Europe, rise of prestige of Azerbaijan Republic in the international arena etc. all these facts are connected to the name of Heydar Aliyev.

I am confident that you, your Excellency, is a worthy successor of all businesses earlier planned by the great and favorite son of Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev.

On behalf of ambassadors of Muslim states, I congratulate your Excellency and all Azerbaijan people in your person on the occasion of the Holy Ramadan.

Love of fellow-men and democracy of Islam, which resolutely condemns murder and violence and propagandize kindness and patience is fully revealed during this holiday. It is with great regret that this holiday was sadden by the monstrous acts committed in Turkey, Riyadh and Iraq. And the most terrible fact is that the terrorists commit their crimes under the flag of Islam. Like all progressive mankind, we resolutely condemn criminal actions of the extremists undermining Islam’s authority, and express deep condolences to the families of the dead.

They say, within the Holly Ramadan days, the Most High accepts all of the prayers. So, in our prayers we ask the Most High for highly esteemed Heydar Alirza oglu to complete the treatment and return to Homeland soon. I thank you once again and extend my congratulations.

ILHAM ALIYEV: Thank you very much for the kind words, in particular for the warm words about President Heydar Aliyev. I said more than once, and want to note again that the modern Azerbaijan is a Heydar Aliyev’s work. At all times, Heydar Aliyev has been in full measure the true leader of his people. Despite all difficulties and pressure, under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved the goals, and the program proposed by him has been implemented.

Today, stability and development are observed in Azerbaijan; the people live in peaceful and free atmosphere. His policy will be continued in Azerbaijan. Our goal is to develop Azerbaijan following the path chosen by Heydar Aliyev as it is the only right one to lead Azerbaijan to the happy future.

I am grateful to you for mentioning all this. I am confident that the prayers of the people of Azerbaijan, prayers of our brothers-Moslems, representatives of other nationalities will help Heydar Aliyev recover and live.

Once again I cordially congratulate You. I am certain that Azerbaijan will successfully cooperate with all fraternal Islamic sates, maintain friendly relations with them. We will always support each other. Because we have the same goal: our peoples must live freely, in peace and welfare.

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The reception was attended by Chief of the Foreign Relations Department of the Presidential Administration Novruz Mamadov