Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the orthodox Christians of Azerbaijan on Easter holiday which is marked on April 19, the AzerTag news agency reported.
"Dear fellow countrymen! I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes for your health and happiness on the occasion of holy Easter.
A centuries-long atmosphere of tolerance, peaceful coexistence of various nations and confessions enjoying mutual respect and friendship, and preservation of ethnic and cultural diversity are our historic achievements, which stipulate national-spiritual unity and have become priority norms of our socio-political stability within the Azerbaijani society. We continue our efforts to strengthen peace and civic solidarity even more and to ensure rights and freedoms of all citizens, irrespective of their language, religion and ethnicity.
It is with great satisfaction that I point out the fact that preserving its national and traditional values, Azerbaijan's Orthodox Christian community is taking active part in public-political and socio-cultural life of our country and civil society building.
Every year, Easter is widely celebrated in Azerbaijan as the symbol of peace, unity, mercy and compassion.
May this blessed holiday bring a lot of joy to your families and prosperity to your homes. Happy Easter!" the president's address said.
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