On March 19, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, hosted an Iftar feast at his residence on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.
AZERTAC reports that the ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an.
Speaking at the traditional Iftar ceremony, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, discussed the virtues of the month of Ramadan and drew attention to the religious tolerance in Azerbaijan, highly appreciating the state care for religious communities, and the patronage and attention of President Ilham Aliyev.
A. Pashazade spoke about the continuous successes of President Ilham Aliyev's victorious policy, his valuable efforts and actions for the interests of our statehood and the welfare of our people, and the revival of our religious and spiritual heritage in liberated Karabakh. He noted that these achievements are of great importance for the welfare of our people, the development of our state, and the recognition of our country worldwide.
The Sheikh-ul-Islam noted that the model of tolerance in Azerbaijan is an example to the whole world, and such a pleasant, cordial environment is virtually nonexistent elsewhere. He prayed that Almighty Allah would not take away this unity. He stressed that Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries in the world where religious and sectarian discrimination is not allowed. This is our way of life, the fruit of the wise state policy on state-religion relations, the foundation of which was laid by our Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and is being successfully continued by our head of state, Ilham Aliyev.
The CMB Chairman, drawing attention to our country's religious activity in the post-war period, stressed that the mosques and churches destroyed during the 30-year enemy occupation are now being restored through the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, and all conditions are being created for the comfortable use of these places by believers.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade noted the high level of state-religion relations in our country, stating that this factor is expressed through support and attention to the activities of all religious communities, and strengthens the interreligious harmony prevailing in our religious and spiritual life.
Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly), who spoke at the ceremony, stressed that state-religion relations in our country are based on mutual respect and principles of secularism, that the state approaches religious beliefs with tolerance, and that society attaches importance to maintaining harmony among various confessions.

Ali Ahmadov noted that, unlike Azerbaijan, religious intolerance, discrimination, and radicalism are increasing in many regions of the world, and clashes between various religious groups are occurring in some countries. He stated that the policy of peaceful coexistence, the foundation of which was laid by Heydar Aliyev, is being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev in our country today.
Later, the heads of religious confessions in our country spoke, emphasizing that their gathering around a table of brotherhood at such a blessed moment is a reality of Azerbaijan's exemplary multicultural life. It was stated that the peaceful co-existence of religious representatives in Azerbaijan in a cordial, brotherly atmosphere, living together as members of one family, is an example of interreligious mutual understanding and co-existence that is of universal importance to the entire world.
The Iftar feast was served at the end.