Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Baku hosted a seminar "National and spiritual values and the media" on November 25 aimed at expansion of religious knowledge among journalists, and the strengthening of relations between journalists and religious leaders.

The event was organized by the Caucasian Muslims Office, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations and Press Council.

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Mubariz Gurbanli, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on public associations and religious structures Siyavush Novruzov and Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Aflatun Amashov attended the event.

Sheikh-ul-Islam, addressing the event, noted that a meeting in this format is being held for the first time in the history of the country.

"This means that the state attaches great importance to relations with the religion. A meeting between journalists and religious figures in such a high level has not been held so far. Of course, there were meetings with individual journalists, but, the meeting in this expanded format is being held for the first time," he said.

“Press should be our closest supporter,” said Pashazade, noting that “we have to rely on the media to consult with each other. We seek to establish links between journalists and religious leaders and work for the benefit of state.”

During the meeting, there was announced that a "Sheikh-ul-Islam" award will be established in Azerbaijan to be presented to journalists writing on religious themes.

MP Novruzov, speaking at the event, said that state and religion were always together in Azerbaijan.

The official further said that those, who used to put pressure on other countries under the guise of democracy, now are trying to do it under the guise of religion.

"Therefore, journalists who write on these topics should carefully weigh everything. The structures of individual countries are closely watching us. As soon as something happens, they immediately make statements, trying to exert pressure on Azerbaijan. Therefore, we should not give them such an opportunity. We also need to be more active on the issue of religious propaganda," Novruzov added.

Gurbanli noted the importance of increasing religious knowledge of journalists and specialization of journalists in the religious sphere.

Representatives of every nation, religion, the ethnic group in the country have equal rights. Religious freedom and support in Azerbaijan are fully provided by the government.

The national policy of Azerbaijan is defined on the principles of tolerance and coexistence of various nationalities, ethnic groups, and religious minorities.

Currently, there are 1,834 mosques, 12 churches and 6 synagogues functioning in the country. And the government has created all conditions for religious worship in Azerbaijan.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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