Baku, November 29, AZERTAC

Chairman of the Caucasus Muslim’s Office Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has been elected member of the Board of Directors of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID). He succeeds Board Member Sayyed Ataollah Mohajerani and will carry out his mandate in this influential organization until April 30, 2021.

Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar, KAICIID Secretary General, in his letter addressed to Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade highlighted the decision adopted by the representatives of the Council of Parties on the basis of proposals of the Board of Directors.

The board of Directors will also include Faculty Member, Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University Hamad Al-Majed, Director of Shanti Ashram organization Kezevino Aram, Titular Bishop of Luperciana, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Bishop Miguel Ayuso, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Metropolitan Emmanuel, President-Designate Rissho Kosei-kai the Reverend Kosho Niwano, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury and National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England Reverend Mark Poulson, American Jewish Committee, International Director of Interreligious Affairs Chief Rabbi David Rosen, Secretary-General of the National Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue Mohammad Sammak.

Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar also expresses his confidence that the unique and rich experience Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has in the field of inter-religious dialogue will make a significant contribution to the KAICIID activities.

An Azerbaijani religious leader`s election to KAICIID Board of Directors is crucial to engaging in inter-religious dialogue and international cooperation, raising the world community`s awareness of Azerbaijan`s realities and contributing to peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The International Dialogue Centre is an intergovernmental organization mandated to promote dialogue among different religious and cultural groups to promote justice, peace and reconciliation and to counteract the abuse of religion to justify violence. The Centre is governed by a multi-religious Board of Directors, consisting of representatives of five religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. The Center seeks to bring religious leaders and political decision-makers together to develop and implement multilateral social cohesion building and conflict resolution initiatives. KAICIID supports experts, trainees and organizations working in this area through capacity building programs, workshops, training and partnerships.