AZERBAIJAN DEMONSTRATES GREAT TOLERANCE AMONGST REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS – ALEXY II

TREND News Agency
April 10 2008
Azerbaijan

Russia, Moscow, 10 April / TrendNews corr. R.Agayev / Azerbaijan should
and does demonstrate a good example of tolerance regarding traditional
religions, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II stated after an
informal meeting with Sheikh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh,
Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Clerical Port.

The Patriarch noted that the religious climate in Azerbaijan is normal
with relations amongst representatives from different religions being
tolerant of each other thanks to the well-defined position of the
Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Clerical Port.

Alexy II highly appreciated the meeting with Pashazadeh and noted
that such meetings were always like fellowship and camaraderie. "We
would like that the voice of religious people be heard by everyone
including politicians. In this respect, the religious summit that
was held in Moscow in 2007 was very relevant," Alexy II said.

Alexy II supported Pashazadeh’s initiative to hold a similar summit –
a meeting of CIS religious people in Baku. "It will be an important
meeting when religious people meet and discuss issues regarding
maintaining moral and spiritual values which are our common task. I
have witnessed tolerance and good relations towards representatives
of different religions in Azerbaijan," Alexy II stated.

Touching upon solution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, Alexy II said several meetings were held dedicated
to the issue. "Politicians do not listen to us all the time," Russian
Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II noted. "Our meeting always produces
fruitful results," Pashazadeh said.

One of the key issues of the discussion was the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through peaceful means. "I would like
religion to have a position in the UN. There are many influential
religious citizens and sometimes decisions taken by politicians do
not coincide with religious principles. Religious citizens should
have the right to express their thoughts. The current meeting could
create significant planning possibilities," Pashazadeh stated.

Allahshukur Pashazadeh added that he would attend the important
meeting of the UN Secretary-General and religious officials in
Moscow. Pashazadeh stated that he would like to demonstrate the
potential of Azerbaijan internationally during the meeting. "All is the
real fruits of the foundation laid down by the former President Heydar
Aliyev. We are witnesses to the invaluable benefits in all spheres
including religion. I would very much like that such meetings have a
positive effect on all religions and nations to strengthen friendship
and brotherhood between our countries," Allahshukur Pashazadeh said.

Sheikh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh met with Alexy II
in Svato-Danilov monastery where they discussed inter-religious
cooperation. The meeting was attended by Polad Bulbuloglu, Azerbaijani
Ambassador in the Russian Federation, the the Bishop of Baku and the
Near-Caspian region, Alexander.