On 26 October, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the Vatican between the Holy See and Azerbaijan. The memorandum was signed by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, head of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, on behalf of the Holy See, and by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, on behalf of Azerbaijan. Noting the significance of the memorandum, Cardinal Koovakad stressed that the document was an important step towards deepening interreligious dialogue. He also recalled how, during his visit to Azerbaijan, he had seen peace and harmony promoted there at such a high level, and he made particular mention of his meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. The Cardinal likewise drew attention to the fact that relations between the Holy See and the Caucasus Muslims Board date back as far as the 1990s. The head of the Dicastery further noted that today religions, and the religion of Islam in particular, are being used around the world as a tool of manipulation, and that this is unacceptable: “As the head of the Dicastery, I too consider myself responsible in this matter.”
The Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, conveyed the greetings of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, to the head of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Emphasising the importance of the document signed with the Holy See, he spoke about the Catholic church currently under construction in Baku, due to be completed in 2027, and about its significance. The Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Allahshukur Pashazade, noted the importance of establishing a nunciature (the Vatican’s embassy) of the Holy See in Azerbaijan as well. The Sheikh of all the Caucasus also stated that equal and fully-fledged conditions have been created for all religions in Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the prospects for cooperation between the Holy See and the Caucasus Muslims and the work to be carried out were discussed. Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade noted that the iftar held in Rome this March, on the initiative and with the organisation of the Caucasus Muslims, for representatives of all religions, had played an important role in deepening interreligious dialogue. “There are today centres of conflict in the world, in the Middle East and in Ukraine. The Interreligious Conference to be held in the Vatican on the initiative of the Pope is important in this respect, so that religious figures can influence political figures and bring these conflicts to an end.” Cardinal Koovakad expressed the importance of other Muslim religious centres and their eminent leaders being invited to the Conference in question precisely through the Caucasus Muslims Board.
Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade also noted that false information based on Armenian sources has recently at times been disseminated on “Vatican News,” the Vatican’s information agency, and he presented substantiated evidence in this regard. Stating that he would immediately inform the relevant bodies about the matter, Cardinal Koovakad said that the problem would be resolved. A. Pashazade expressed his deep gratitude to Cardinal Koovakad for the conditions created for Azerbaijani scholars in the Vatican libraries.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and the presentation of commemorative gifts then took place.
The Memorandum of Understanding is the first initiative undertaken with reference to the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” of 4 February 2019. The memorandum once again clearly expresses Azerbaijan’s tolerant stance in promoting interreligious dialogue.
In order to implement the provisions of the memorandum and to support the promotion of interreligious dialogue, a Joint Permanent Committee for Dialogue will also be established.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vatican and a religious centre is the first event of its kind in the Vatican’s history. The Holy See has, to date, signed analogous memoranda mainly with state institutions.
It is worth recalling that the agreement on the Memorandum of Understanding was reached during Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad’s visit to Azerbaijan in June this year.
