President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the international conference “Religious tolerance traditions in the Caucasus and Azerbaijan’s model of multiculturalism” held Thursday in Baku.

Azerbaijan`s state adviser on inter-ethnic, multicultural and religious affairs Kamal Abdullayev has read out the president’s message, AzVision.az reports.

“Good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation have historically existed in our region based on the robust tolerance traditions, mutual respect and trust among various peoples. The Islamic religion has played an important role in the formation and development of such relations as a bearer of universal values. Nowadays, socio-political processes are going on and ethnic and religious conflicts and undesirable phenomena such as racial discrimination, religious extremism and Islamophobia are being observed across the world.

There is a great need for challenges of heavenly religions for peace, mercy, compassion and solidarity, and inter-civilization dialogue and cooperation against the cases threatening the international security and prosperity of the people. In this regard, discussion of subjects related to Azerbaijan’s model of multiculturalism and tolerance traditions has great scientific, social and political significance.

Azerbaijani state pays special attention to preservation and further development of historical and cultural heritage, ethnic and cultural diversity, multiculturalism and bases on national historical traditions and norms of the international law in regulation of relationship between state and religion. You are also acting with the same dedication in this direction in your republics.

Religious leaders like you are playing a great role in the establishment of durable peace and stability, promotion of human values and true essence of Islam, timely prevention of dangerous religious movements in the Caucasus that is our common and native home. It is of great importance that moral ties bring together members of the Supreme Religious Council of the Caucasus Peoples. The activities of members and head of the Council, chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office in this regard are praiseworthy. I am confident that this international conference dedicated to a necessary and urgent issue will be held in the atmosphere of understanding and solidarity, as well as contribute to further strengthening of friendly and brotherly relations between our people and countries,” says the message.

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