Azernews.Az

No religious conflicts have occurred in Azerbaijan to date and there is a high level of tolerance in the country, deputy parliament speaker Bahar Muradova, who heads Azerbaijan's delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, has said in a meeting with visiting OSCE representatives.

Hosting personal representatives of the OSCE chairman on combating intolerance Adil Akhmetov, Andrew Baker and Catherine McGuinness, and Azra Junuzovic, Deputy Head of OSCE ODIHR's Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, Muradova said such important issues as multiculturalism, religious tolerance, Islamophobia, strengthening intercultural and interreligious dialogue, etc. were discussed at the fall session of the OSCE PA in Tirana.

"The Azerbaijani delegation actively participates in the discussion and promotion of the OSCE values in the world," she said. "This is a brilliant example of our cooperation."

Representatives of international organizations and politicians involved in the ongoing important events in Baku appreciate the level of tolerance in Azerbaijan, as well as the conditions provided for representatives of all faiths and communities, she said.

"Representatives of different faiths and nations have lived here together in peace for many centuries as a family without any controversy," Muradova said. "Muslims make up 95 percent of the population in Azerbaijan, Christians 4 percent, and people of other religions -- the rest. There is a progressive legal framework and relevant institutions guaranteeing equality of rights and freedoms for all citizens regardless of their nationality or creed. The Azerbaijani parliament strives to honor, preserve and deliver these important traditions for the future generations."

Muradova added that though religious conflicts have never occurred in Azerbaijan, unfortunately, some circles and politicians attempt to add a religious coloring to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"In fact, it is not a religious or ethnic conflict," she said. "This conflict began on the basis of Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan."

Adil Akhmetov said the purpose of the visit was to eliminate the differences and to study the relations between different religions, etc.

After leaving Azerbaijan, the OSCE delegation will visit Armenia. A report to be prepared following the visit will be submitted to the OSCE Permanent Council.

Andrew Baker and Catherine McGuinness stressed that they witnessed mutual understanding and trust between national minorities and religious communities during their meetings in Azerbaijan.

The OSCE representatives appreciated the fact that different peoples have been represented in Azerbaijani state bodies. They stressed that the Azerbaijani model of tolerance is an example for other countries, and this experience should be applied everywhere.