Pakistan`s newspapers publishes article on World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue
Baku, April 26 (AZERTAC). An authoritative newspaper of Pakistan “States Times” published an article “Islamic and national values are dear to us” by Zahida Amir. The article dwells on the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue held in Azerbaijan`s capital, Azerbaijan Embassy in Pakistan said.
The article says: “Intercultural Dialogue is one of the most pressing challenges of today`s plural world. Democratic exchange and knowledge sharing among different cultures are an antidote to violence and rejection. The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue - United Through Common Values, Enriched by Cultural Diversity - which is taking place in Baku (Azerbaijan, 7-9 April 2011), addressing its universal governance and the practical aspects on a global scale.
Azerbaijan really has fantastic potential of rich culture and civilization to hold the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. Since ancient times, many peoples, ethnic and religious groups have lived in Azerbaijan in peaceful atmosphere and loved same rights, opportunities. All mentioned arguments ensure us to be cultural bridge between Islamic World and the West.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), member of Parliament Mehriban Aliyeva attended the official opening ceremony of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.”
The full speech of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev was given in the article. The author stresses that representatives of all peoples in Azerbaijan are citizens with equal rights, and all historical and religious monuments are being protected. Freedom of religion and conscience has been really established in Azerbaijan, the author underlines. Throughout the period of independence, the state has built and refurbished hundreds of religious monuments - mosques, churches and synagogues, and this process is continuing.
At the same time, Azerbaijan has been very close to the Western world at all times. The first democratic republic in the Muslim East was established in Azerbaijan in 1918. The first theatre in the Muslim East was founded in Azerbaijan, and the first opera was also staged here”, the article says.
The author also quoted from the speech of Mehriban Aliyeva. Azerbaijan`s First Lady, Mehriban Aliyeva has referred to the burning of the Holy Quran in her speech at the international forum in Baku.
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