On December 4, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, received Mark Snyer, President and Founder of the US Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, and the delegation he led.
Warmly greeting the guests, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade spoke about the unique multicultural lifestyle existing in Azerbaijan, the country's leading role in international interreligious dialogue thanks to the efforts and initiatives of the state leadership, and the activities of the CMB as a religious center toward global interreligious cooperation.

*Focus on Tolerance and Jewish Community*
During the sincere meeting, satisfaction was expressed regarding the historically tolerant environment in Azerbaijan, where representatives of all peoples and religions, including the Jewish community, live together in harmony and peace as one family.
Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade introduced the heads of the religious confessions in Azerbaijan who were present at the meeting, specifically noting that "we are always together, not only when meeting guests, and we participate jointly in all events." The favorable conditions and attention provided by the state to the Jewish community, alongside representatives of other religious and ethnic communities, were highly appreciated, and the active participation of Jews in the country's public life was noted.

*Peace Process and Regional Restoration*
The CMB Chairman expressed his satisfaction with the growing positive trends regarding Azerbaijan during his recent high-level meetings and communications with religious and public leaders in the USA.
Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade noted the historical importance of the signing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace protocol at the White House, with the participation of the Presidents of the US and Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia, stating that it will bring benefit to the country and the region.
He emphasized that the US delegation had the opportunity to observe the harmonious coexistence of representatives of different religions while in Baku and other regions of the country, highlighting the benefit of the exemplary co-existence of different ethnic groups and religions in Azerbaijan for all countries worldwide, including the USA.

*Legacy of Friendship and Reconstruction*
The CMB Chairman spoke highly of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, with whom he has maintained a friendship and cooperative relationship for nearly half a century, and recalled their personal meeting in New York in recent months. Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade fondly recalled Rabbi A. Schneier's meetings with the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. He stressed that Rabbi A. Schneier had always supported truth and justice both before and after the Patriotic War, which brought historical victory to Azerbaijan. He added that he highly values the fact that Mark Snyer, the son of Azerbaijan's friend Arthur Schneier, is also a friend of the country.
A. Pashazade informed the guests about the large-scale reconstruction and restoration work currently being carried out in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan and the implementation of the Great Return program. He stated, "All religious temples in the liberated territories, regardless of their origin—mosques, churches, and even religious sites of Armenian origin—are being repaired." Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade stressed that the world is witnessing that His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva are patrons of high moral values, and that Christian and Jewish religious monuments have traditionally been approached with attention and care in Azerbaijan.

*Call for Peace and Dialogue*
Emphasizing that the moral mission of religious leaders before the Almighty is to serve peace, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade noted that while the political leaderships of the two countries are working towards peace-building in a constructive environment, the Armenian Church and the Armenian diaspora are using all their power to carry out destructive propaganda to disrupt this process.
Mark Snyer, President of the US Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, thanked Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade for the reception and spoke about the contributions of the Azerbaijani state and its religious leader to the development of intercultural dialogue worldwide. He stressed the importance of the international forums hosted by Azerbaijan, which regularly bring together influential religious leaders from around the world.
At the end of the meeting, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade answered questions from the members of the US delegation.

Press Service of the CMB

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