The participation of the Azerbaijani delegation, led by the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, in events within the framework of the "2025 Islamic World Year in Belgium and Europe" during their visit to the Kingdom of Belgium has continued.

Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade, participating in the events organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium and jointly by the European Academy for Development and Research (EDARA), ICESCO, the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, and the Caucasus Muslims Board, attended a European Conference on March 7 titled: "Models of Multiculturalism – Reflections on Models for Building Relations and Coexistence in Peace." The event was attended by Azerbaijani National Assembly Deputies Javanshir Pashazade and Gudrat Hasanguliyev, leaders of religious confessions in Azerbaijan—Head of the Mountain Jews Community Melih Yevdayev, Head of the Catholic Community in Azerbaijan and Apostolic Prefect of the Roman Catholic Church Bishop Vladimir Fekete, and Head of the Albanian-Udi Community Robert Mobili—along with EDARA Chairman Brahim Laytuss and Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre Ravan Hasanov.

CMB Chairman Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade addressed the Conference, stating that he was honored to convey the greetings and blessings of our people, especially His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, on behalf of Azerbaijan, a country of multicultural values: "As an integral part of the Islamic world, a country that has historically played the role of a bridge between East and West, where various civilizations converge, multiculturalism is our tradition, our way of life in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is one of the rare places in the world where there has historically been no confrontation between followers of different religions and denominations; Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Catholics, and followers of other religious confessions participate together in all spheres of public life as equal citizens of our society and freely practice their worship."

In his speech, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan's multicultural life model: "The foundation of society building in independent Azerbaijan, which is based on the harmony of religious and cultural diversity, lies in the Azerbaijanism ideology of our National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the wise state policy of President Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev has established multiculturalism at the level of state policy, calling it 'both a way of life and a state policy in Azerbaijan.' First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, makes a great contribution to inter-civilizational dialogue and cooperation on the international stage through her humanitarian, cultural, and spiritual activities in promoting multiculturalism globally. The state of Azerbaijan, which possesses historical experience in building bridges and coexistence among representatives of different cultures and civilizations, and the religious center – the Caucasus Muslims Board – contribute to international efforts aimed at promoting inter-religious dialogue worldwide, playing an active and leading role in the process of cooperation among civilizations, cultures, and religions."

Stating that the aspects that unite and bring people together as human beings, regardless of their religion or nationality, are more numerous and more important than the features that separate them, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade added: "Our Holy Book, the Quran, states that Believers are but brothers. The Brussels Conference, focused on solidarity, holds special importance in this regard. The document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by the great figures of the Christian and Islamic worlds—His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb—is a valuable reference point. His Majesty King Philippe's initiative of the Islamic World Year in Belgium and Europe is a historically important event and an extremely valuable contribution to us."

Speaking about the large-scale reconstruction work underway in the territories liberated by Azerbaijan from occupation, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade drew attention to the fact that houses of worship belonging to all religions are being restored by our state, adding: "The Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was subjected to military aggression and genocide by Armenia for nearly 30 years. Thanks be to God, Azerbaijan liberated its lands from occupation in the 2020 Patriotic War, restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty recognized by the world community, thereby realizing its right recognized by 4 UN resolutions. Our state, which today gives life to the lands that were set on fire during the occupation, is carrying out great work to eliminate the consequences of the acts of vandalism committed, restoring and rebuilding all the destroyed and desecrated places of worship—our Muslim, Christian, and Jewish religious and spiritual monuments."

He continued: "While the building of the Armenian Church is preserved as a religious monument in the center of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, the historical mosque building in the Tepabashi neighborhood, once inhabited by Azerbaijanis in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is being desecrated. Unfortunately, instead of preparing its people for peace, the Armenian Church is once again making calls for war and revanchist statements. This is the difference between multicultural Azerbaijan and mono-ethnic Armenia!"

Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade recalled that hate speech and calls spreading in the world, including in some European countries, pose the greatest threat to tolerance and multiculturalism: "The wars and conflicts happening in the world, and the calls for hatred that incite aggression and violence, concern us all. We pray for the restoration of peace in the world. We strongly condemn all manifestations of radicalism under the guise of freedom of speech and religion, as well as anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia, and especially cases of insulting the holy places, values, and attributes of religions."

Answering questions from Conference participants, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade and the heads of religious confessions in Azerbaijan spoke in detail about examples related to Azerbaijan's model of tolerance and multicultural life. A commemorative photo was taken at the end of the Conference.

CMB Press Service

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