OCTOBER 29, 2025

Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), participated as a guest of honor in an international event held in front of the "Arch of Constantine" near the Colosseum, a symbol of Rome, the capital of Italy. The event was attended by religious leaders from various countries around the world.

AZERTAC reports that this ceremony, which was the conclusion of the program of events for the International Dialogue and Prayer Meeting for Peace organized by the Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio of Italy under the slogan "Dare to Peace," saw the participation of only two Muslim religious leaders: Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, speaking at the event, emphasized the sanctity of peace: "Enough of wars, their painful deaths, destruction, and exiles... War is never sacred, only peace is sacred because God wills it! We must ensure that this period in history, marked by war and the arrogance of power, soon ends, and a new history begins."

The Pontiff stated that the misuse of religion is unacceptable, and those who seek to drag people into war, who do not want peace, and who fuel conflicts will be held accountable.

Subsequently, speeches by the head of the Sant'Egidio Community, Marco Impagliazzo, as well as religious figures and scholars, were heard.

The international meeting, held for the 39th time, brought together representatives of major religions, cultures, civil societies, and political circles to establish and discuss new visions of peaceful coexistence, solidarity, and peace, which are the most important and sensitive problems of our time.