Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
June 20 2005

HEAD OF CAUCASIAN MOSLEMS RECEIVES RELIGIOUS FIGURES FROM IRAN AND IRAQ
[June 20, 2005, 21:26:35]

Head of the Caucasian Moslems Clerical Office Sheik ul-Islam Hajji
Allahshukur Pashazade received a delegation comprising renowned
religious figures – ayatollahs, theologists – led by Seyed Javad
Shahristani.

Sheik ul-Islam expressed hope this visit would `serve strengthening
of peaceful relations and mutual understanding between our
countries.’ Touching upon the recent elections in Iran, he said the
Government of the country was on the right way, and expressed
satisfaction with relative peace in Kerbala, the sacred place for
Moslem-Shiites.

In turn, members of the delegation noted their visit contemporized
the Assumption of Prophet Mohammad’s daughter Fatmei-Zahra, which was
a day of reconciliation and prayers. `We will pray together for
liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Iran has always
supported Azerbaijan’s stance, and peaceful resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,’ they said.

Reportedly, the delegation of religious figures of Iran and Iraq had
visited Ganja, Mingachevir and a number of other districts of
Azerbaijan, as well as met with refugees and orphans.

The meeting was attended by Ambassadors of Iran and Iraq to
Azerbaijan Afshar Suleymani and Arshad Omar Ismayil respectively.

Following the meeting, the religious figures responded to questions
from journalists.