Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), is in Cape Town, the capital of the Republic of South Africa, to participate in the G20 Interfaith Forum. The forum, taking place from August 10-14, is themed "Faith in Action."

The Interfaith Forum, held on the eve of G20 Summits, is a consistently active and influential global interfaith platform. Invited by the President of the G20 Interfaith Forum, Cole Durham, the CMB Chairman, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade, attended the opening plenary session of the Cape Town Forum.

In his speech at the forum, which began with prayers from representatives of different world religions for interfaith tolerance, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the Interfaith Forum within the framework of South Africa's G20 presidency. He conveyed the greetings and blessings of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, to the participants of the Cape Town Forum. He noted that in the modern era, with increasing threats to human life and the existence of humanity on our common home, Earth, the tradition of holding Interfaith Forums on the eve of the G20 Summits has become a practical manifestation of effective collaboration between state and religious representatives. This tradition is born from the necessity for increased joint efforts and global dialogue among political, public, and religious leaders. The CMB Chairman emphasized that xenophobic acts, hate speech inciting ethnic, religious, and racial discrimination, attempts to clash civilizations, the dangers of artificial intelligence, rapid armament, and the real nuclear threat are the greatest dangers for all of humanity. Noting the great significance of the forum's theme, "Faith in Action," Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade stated that the potential of religions and faith, as well as calls for universal values and human brotherhood, can truly help solve all these problems.

Touching upon the forum's topics in his speech, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade said: "I am proud that Azerbaijan, which I represent, as a land of tolerance and multiculturalism, plays a leading role in the global process of dialogue between religions and civilizations. The consequences of climate change were discussed at the COP29 UN event in Baku last November, and within that forum, religious leaders were closely involved in the spiritual assessment of climate problems. During Azerbaijan's consistent three-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, significant practical steps were taken toward recognizing the equality of all races and peoples and combating colonialism. The Republic of Azerbaijan, in accordance with the norms of international law, fulfilled the well-known UN resolutions, ending the occupation and fully restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty recognized by the world community. Today, the Azerbaijani state is carrying out peaceful reconstruction work and return projects for the population in the liberated Karabakh region, eliminating the consequences of ecocide and urbicide, and striving for peace and progress in our region."

At the end of his speech, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade also thanked the forum organizers on behalf of Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Public Associations and Religious Organizations Committee of the Azerbaijani National Assembly, Javanshir Pashazade, a member of the National Assembly, and Ravan Hasanov, the executive director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, who were also attending the G20 Interfaith Forum and representing Azerbaijan.

The forum continues its work. The CMB Chairman, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade, is scheduled to participate in various cultural programs and meet with forum participants and officials during the event.

CMB Press Service

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