Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A Jewish cultural center and the first kosher restaurant - which serves food that complies with Jewish dietary laws - will be built in Baku.

Approximately 600 square yards area of land has been allocated for the restaurant, which will be part of a three-story cultural center, the U.S.-based St. Louis Jewish Light newspaper reported.

"The opening will be a landmark event for Jewish life in Baku," a statement on the website of the Mountain Jew community reads.

Chief Rabbi of the community of European Jews in Azerbaijan Shneor Segal said Baku currently does not have any strictly kosher restaurant.

The creation of such a complex will serve foreign guests, who are experiencing some difficulties in Baku with kosher meals as the country has few kosher products.

Segal said earlier that all Jewish representatives living in the country have equal rights with Azerbaijanis, protected by the authorities, and that there is no other country in the world where all nationalities live so freely and peacefully, as in Azerbaijan.

According to the World Jewish Congress, about 20,000 Jewish live in Azerbaijan, 75 percent of which residing in Baku.

The 20th century has brought not only changing of the world's political map, but also a number of global issues which have concerned different aspects of social life. Along with the economic, environmental and demographic problems, religious issues rose very sharply.

That implied a dialogue between cultures and religions in order to preserve the cultural diversity of human civilization, and experience of those countries and regions where there are strong traditions of religious tolerance is especially indicative in such circumstances.

Being a unique example of peaceful coexistence and cooperation of many nations and religions, Azerbaijan was historically known as a country of tolerance. Respect for multiculturalism, ethnic and religious minorities is a national characteristic of the Azerbaijani people. Major international events conducted by Azerbaijan, as well as at the initiative of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva in recent years have turned Azerbaijan into a recognized international center of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.

The Jewish community in Azerbaijan is one of the most active and influential religious communities. Such institutions as Center of Azerbaijani- Israeli Friendship, "Sochnut" Jewish Agency for Israel, "Joint" and "Vaad-I-Hetzola" committees for the protection and preservation of Jewish traditions, religious schools, Jewish Cultural Center, "Eva" women community, "Hesed - Hershon" charitable society, "Aleph" youth club and many others are operating in Azerbaijan.