Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries in the world that has managed to create a harmony of religious and cultural diversity, Milikh Yevdayev, chairman of the Mountain Jews religious community, said during a panel discussion on "Azerbaijan's multiculturalism: Experience, tradition and modern challenges" at the Forum of Religious Leaders, Report informs.
"This harmony has made us known as one of the most tolerant countries. The construction of a four-story Jewish religious center is nearing completion. All funding for the construction of this center is provided by the state," added Yevdayev.
Ravan Hasanov, executive director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, said that there are people who don't believe there is no antisemitism in Azerbaijan:
"Sometimes visitors from foreign countries ask how it's possible that in a predominantly Muslim state, there are no problems with other religious communities. They think we're hiding something. However, in reality, all religious communities in Azerbaijan live in peace. Churches and synagogues are protected by the people themselves, not by armed personnel."
Ilham Mammadzada, Director General of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, stated that contributions from science to ideology and from ideology to science are important for current society:
"Relying solely on state activities is not effective in preparing for ideological threats. Cultural unity and conveying Azerbaijan's tradition of multiculturalism and tolerance to the world are important factors."
The discussions were also attended by Fuad Mammadov, professor at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Azerbaijan and culturologist, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, apostolic prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, and Bishop Aleksiy Smirnov, head of the Russian Orthodox Church's Baku and Azerbaijan Eparchy.
Photo: Vugar Khanlarov