A conference dedicated to the policy of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the values of multiculturalism was organized by the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations (SCWRO) on December 20, Report informs.
The event was attended by Chairman of the State Committee Mubariz Gurbanli, MP Jeyhun Mammadov, head of the religious community of Mountain Jews in Baku city Milikh Yevdayev, chairman of the Public Council under the SCWRO Sevinj Alizada, representatives of the Caucasian Muslims Office, as well as the Baku and Azerbaijan diocese of Russian- the Orthodox Church, various religious denominations and the public.
Mubariz Gurbanli noted that tolerance is essential for the modern world: “Today, humanity is facing serious threats. Peace is needed to avoid them. Religious leaders have a great responsibility in this matter.”
According to Gurbanli, a policy that meets the new challenges should be formed:
“This is clearly seen in the policy of President Ilham Aliyev. Secularism is one of the ways chosen by Azerbaijan under the Constitution. Although the state and religion are separated, the state supports religion. This is a manifestation of secularism.”
Gurbanli noted that secularism and multicultural values occupy an essential place in the policy of Ilham Aliyev.
MP Jeyhun Mammadov, in turn, said that new synagogues and churches had been built in Azerbaijan:
“Today there are Orthodox churches and Jewish synagogues in Azerbaijan. Hundreds of mosques have been repaired in Azerbaijan in recent years.”
According to Jeyhun Mammadov, today, Azerbaijan is known as a center of multiculturalism.