Azernews.Az

By Akbar Mammadov

President Ilham Aliyev has said that Azerbaijan is one of the few places where ethnic and religious intolerance, xenophobia and anti-Semitism do not exist.

Aliyev made the remarks in his congratulatory message to the country’s Jewish community on the occasion of the New Year Holiday of the Jewish people-Rosh Hashanah.

“Jews, along with representatives of various ethnic and religious groups, have for centuries lived in Azerbaijan, a country with rich historical and cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions of tolerance, in peace, tranquility, mutual respect and trust. Azerbaijan is one of the few places where ethnic and religious intolerance, xenophobia and anti-Semitism do not exist,” President Ilham Aliyev said in his message on September 16.

The president stressed that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to coexistence based on democratic and constitutional principles, promotion of high tolerance and multicultural values and pays a great deal of attention and care to the preservation of cultural and spiritual values, development of language and culture of all ethnic minorities, including the Jewish community.

“It is commendable that our compatriots of Jewish origin, who are actively involved in the socio-political, socio-cultural life of our country, always demonstrate their love and loyalty to Azerbaijan, making significant contributions to communicating the truth about Azerbaijan to the world community, regardless of where they live,” Aliyev noted.

“On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, which epitomizes kindness, spiritual revival and renewal, I once again extend my sincere congratulations to all of you and wish prosperity to your families and abundance to your homes,” the president’s message concluded.

It should be noted that around 16,000 Jews live in Azerbaijan, of whom 11,000 are Mountain Jews. They mostly live in Baku and northern Quba region.

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Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

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