Azerbaijan keen to preserve multiculturalism
By Nigar Abbasova
Azerbaijan, a multinational and multi-religious country that ensures the peaceful coexistence of members of different nations and religions, is keen on preserving and strengthening its traditions of multiculturalism.
Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, addressing the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum, said there is no place for anti-Semitism or religious intolerance in Azerbaijan, which is a home for representatives of different nations.
The minister said that an Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism is regarded as exemplary by the majority of international organizations and forums, emphasizing that the country named 2016 the Year of Multiculturalism.
Jabbarov added that Azerbaijan always adhered to the traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism.
Chairman of Caucasian Muslims Board Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, in turn, drew attention of the audience to ways of preventing and combating religious extremism.
Saying that religious tolerance is people's lifestyle in Azerbaijan, he mentioned that the country should not allow external forces to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
Pashazade said that he supports development of tourism sphere in the country, those arriving in the country, however, should not intervene in certain religious issues, as it may lead to bad consequences in the future.
The constantly growing number of religious communities (the figure currently exceeds 665), belonging to different faiths, is considered to be the result of activities, carried out for preservation and strengthening of religious tolerance in the country. As many as 13 churches and seven synagogues are operating in the country.
All religious organizations operating in the territory of the country should be registered with the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations to obtain a legal status, while the committee doesn't register sects, religious confessions or movements.
Moreover, the International Centre for Multiculturalism, which was established in Baku in 2014, may be regarded as a concrete effort to promote the values of multiculturalism.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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