President Aliyev: Azerbaijani state rests on very strong national values
Azerbaijan is a modern country attached to its religious, national roots and, at the same time, a tolerant country open to the world, said President Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan is a modern country attached to its religious, national roots and, at the same time, a tolerant country open to the world, said President Ilham Aliyev.
President Aliyev made the remark while addressing an Iftar ceremony on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan in Baku on June 21.
The President stressed that in Azerbaijan, the state does not interfere in religious matters; on the contrary, it tries to help. “The historical mosques, religious monuments, as well as churches and synagogues, built and repaired by the state serve as a clear proof of this. Religion does not interfere in the affairs of the state and politics either,” he said, stressing that the fact that the relations between religion and the state rest on a sound basis is our great asset.
Over the period that has passed since the previous Ramadan, dynamic development in Azerbaijan has continued and many important events have taken place, the president added.
“Among them I want to especially note the visit of the Pope to Azerbaijan. The visit of the Pope serves as a manifestation of the attitude of the Holy See to Azerbaijan. I should also note that Azerbaijan is one of the first Muslim countries visited by the Pope. The statements he made during the visit represent a high assessment of interreligious relations in Azerbaijan. Of course, we, the people living in Azerbaijan and conducting this policy, know that this is our great asset. At the same time, the whole world knows about it and this is acknowledged by authoritative personalities of the planet,” he said.
President Aliyev said that the initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan in many spheres bring novelty, dynamics and a new approach. “Breaking stereotypes, we propose a new format of behavior in many areas, including religious issues. It is no coincidence that the work carried out in Azerbaijan in this field and the successes we have achieved are appreciated by practically all leading international organizations. I should also note that our initiatives, events and forums we have launched are subsequently supported by international organizations. As an example, I can cite the Fourth Forum on Intercultural Dialogue held this year. We put forward this Forum as an initiative. Today, its organizers are the leading international organizations of the world - UNESCO, ISESCO, the Council of Europe, the World Tourism Organization, etc. The fact that such prestigious events are held in Azerbaijan demonstrates our policy and intentions. This also shows to the whole world that there is a country on the planet that is the center of multiculturalism. This country is Azerbaijan,” he said.
Highlighting that the Azerbaijani state rests on very strong national values, President Aliyev said that Islamic values are an integral part of the national values
“Along with this, Azerbaijan is a secular and modern state open to the world. There is no radicalism or fundamentalism in Azerbaijan. There is no internal source of threat. The reason for this is not only the administrative steps we are taking. The reason for this is the atmosphere in our society. Where do radicalism and terrorism come to life? In countries where there is no literacy, where social justice is disrupted, and where there is pervasive injustice and poverty. Therefore, the best guarantee against radicalism is social justice, material well-being, literacy and correct policies. Where there are such factors, there is no basis for radicalism. True, there can be interference from the outside. However, Azerbaijan is quite a strong state taking measures against such interference and ensuring a peaceful life of the Azerbaijani people,” the president noted.
President Aliyev went on to say that the country has made great strides in all directions. “Our non-oil economy grew by more than 2 per cent. The non-oil industry has grown by almost 4 per cent. Agriculture has increased by 2 per cent. Exports have increased by 44 per cent and imports have dropped by about 17 per cent. All this has been possible thanks to economic reforms and thought-out policies,” he said.
“As for the solution of foreign policy issues, Azerbaijan enjoys so much authority on a global scale today that the number of countries wishing to cooperate with us is always on the increase. We have built equal relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect. We have been able to establish excellent relations with European, Muslim and other countries. Azerbaijan plays and will continue to play an irreplaceable role – I am saying this with absolute determination – in the development of the dialogue between civilizations,” President Aliyev said.
President Aliyev also spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
A very significant event has occurred in the history of our people and state recently, said President Aliyev. “A new settlement was opened in the village of Jojug Marjanli, which was liberated from occupation. The 50 houses, a school, a road and the entire infrastructure built there in a matter of two months demonstrate both our strength and policy. Life will return to these territories and the Azerbaijani flag will be raised there – just as life returns to the lands liberated from occupation in Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Aghdara districts today, the Azerbaijani flag flies on these lands and constructive work is under way.”
Jojug Marjanli is a testament to Armenian fascism, stressed the president.
“This village was under occupation for only three to four months. There was not a single building left there. Armenian vandals destroyed all houses. We have restored this village in two months and the issue of building another 100 houses will be resolved in the near future,” noted the president. “A mosque, which is an analogue of the Shusha mosque, has been constructed in Jojug Marjanli. This is also of great historical significance. Jojug Marjanli and other territories are our ancestral lands. We are creating a new life in these lands.”
“This shows that no one can ever break the will of Azerbaijani people. We have restored the Armenian church in Baku and are protecting it. The Armenians have destroyed our mosques in the occupied lands. The Govharaga Mosque, the analogue of which has been built in Jojug Marjanli, lies in ruins. A building can be destroyed, but the enemy must know that the destroyed mosques live in our hearts. We have built these mosques in our hearts,” said President Aliyev.
“Immediately after the liberation of these lands from occupation, within two months, a beautiful mosque was built there. This is of immense historical significance. I am sure that we will return to all the occupied lands, Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity and such wonderful Iftar ceremonies will be held on these lands as well, Inshallah,” added the Azerbaijani president.
Other speakers at the event included Chairman of the Clerical Office of Caucasus Muslims Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade , head of the Baku and Caspian Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Alexander, chairman of the Religious Community of the Mountain Jews of Baku Milikh Yevdayev and head of the Roman Catholic community in Azerbaijan, Ordinary Vladimir Fekete.