OFFICIAL NEWS
TO JEWISH COMMUNITY OF AZERBAIJAN
I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of New Year - Rosh Hashanah, being one of the most ancient national holidays of Jews, I wish all of you health and happiness.
The Azerbaijan society historically differed with its ethnic variety, between peoples, which have settled, and centuries living here, there were kind friendly and fraternal relations, exemplary rules of common life. In a state policy of our Republic which are confidently moving ahead today on the way of independence, human rights, including protection of the rights of each citizen, irrespective of national belonging and religious faith, are one of priority directions. In the country, have been established favorable political-legal conditions for protection of ethnic and cultural wealth, customs and traditions of national minorities, for development of their language and culture.
With feeling of satisfaction I want to note that in Azerbaijan, historically there were no cases of discrimination and anti-Semitism, during centuries our country was for Jews native Motherland in which they lived in conditions of peace and calmness. As well as other peoples of our Republic, today, and the Jewish community, keeping the national-cultural originality, takes active participation in legal and democratic processes, construction of a free civil society. Now in Azerbaijan numerous national-cultural organizations of Jews, public-welfare funds, synagogues, schools carry out activity.
Dear compatriots!
Let the Rosh Hashanah annually solemnly marked in Azerbaijan as the holiday of the beginning of life, repentance, moral cleanliness, becomes in the life of each of you the year of happiness and luck.
Ilham Aliyev,
President of the Azerbaijan Republic
City Baku, September 14, 2004