Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

There is a need for Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to conduct joint events for recognition of the region as a space of tolerance, head of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade said at the opening ceremony of the scientific-practical conference titled "The Role of Astana Interreligious Forum in Dialogue among Civilizations" in Kazakhstan on September 25.

During the ceremony Pashazade informed the participants on the historical role of the Astana forums, and the mission of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev who initiated to hold such events.

He said that the heads of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan advanced important initiatives in the world arena to encourage dialogue among the religions and are committed to the idea of multiculturalism.

In his speech Sheikh-ul-Islam also said that National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev considered the tolerance as the indication of high culture.

According to him, Nazarbayev pays significant importance to the national values.

Furthermore, Pashazade appreciated the Kazakh president's support to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

The XII meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions as well as the International Conference titled "The Role of Astana Interreligious Forum in Dialogue among Civilizations" was dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana on 23-24 September 2003.

International Conference "The Role of Astana Interreligious Forum in Dialogue among Civilizations" facilitated to scientific understanding of historical importance of President Nazarbayev's idea about convening regular inter-confessional forums.

Prominent representatives of world and traditional religions, international organizations, Kazakh and foreign political figures and scientists attended the event.