Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 5 / Trend U.Sadikhova /
Development and prosperity in the life of the Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan is a shining example of peaceful coexistence of the two religions - Islam and Judaism, Azerbaijani MP Yevda Abramov said at the opening of the Jewish synagogue in the Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Settlement) in the Guba region.
The solemn opening ceremony of the restored synagogue Gilyaki took place on Sunday with the participation of Mountain Jews Religious Community Chairman Boris Simanduyev and Head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Hidayat Orujov.
The Azerbaijani Constitution provides for freedom of religion, religious tolerance and coexistence of all faiths in peace and harmony, Orujov said emphasizing the absence of anti-Semitic views in Azerbaijan.
The restoration of the synagogue was carried out with support of the Zakharyayev family, whose representative - Herman Zakharyayev is the president of the International Foundation of Mountain Jews STMEG. Zakharyayev was awarded the diploma of the well-known American author Bel Kaufman, granddaughter of Jewish classic Sholom Aleichem. The International Fund STMEGI became the first initiator of the Islamic-Jewish dialogue in Azerbaijan.
Zakharyayev said the Krasnaya Sloboda (with five thousand of the population) is the only place of compact residence of the Jews in the world and foreign visitors traveling to the Guba region make sure of this.
As a part of the restoration work, the transparent dome of the synagogue built over a hundred years ago has been fully restored. Star of David at the peak of the dome is lit in every Jewish holiday. There are three synagogues in the Krasnaya Sloboda today.
According to the Jewish tradition, Rabbi of the Jewish religious community Krasnaya Sloboda Elazar read a blessing-prayer for President Ilham Aliyev.
Unlike other former Soviet republics, synagogues are expanding and improving in Azerbaijan, Simanduyev said.
"The Gudyal river separates the two: a mosque stands on one side and a synagogue on the other," he added.
The international fund STMEGI begin preparations for the international forum "Islam-Judaism," which will be held in Azerbaijan in summer 2011. The event will be held in the framework of dialogue among cultures and civilizations and with the participation of the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
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