Details added (first version posted on 13:32)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 28
Trend:
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Associate Dean of the US-based Simon Wiesenthal Centre Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper said he has paid few visits to Azerbaijan and each time witnessed religious tolerance here. He added that President Aliyev successfully continues this policy, which was founded by National Leader Heydar Aliyev.
Stressing that Azerbaijan is a model country in terms of religious tolerance, Rabbi Abraham Cooper thanked the president for his support for organization of UNESCO’s and Simon Wiesenthal Centre’s joint exhibition to be arranged as part of the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.
President Aliyev emphasized the importance of the exhibition, underlining the significance of bringing into the spotlight positive values, such as religious tolerance, multiculturalism at a time when the global media mainly covers negative issues.
The president noted that amid growing wars and conflicts, ethnic and religious tensions, Azerbaijan is successfully developing in a peaceful atmosphere. President Aliyev said Azerbaijan announced 2016 as a year of multiculturalism.
The president said multiculturalism policy in Azerbaijan is based on social demand.
President Aliyev hailed intercultural peace and friendship in Azerbaijan, saying members of various religions and nations live peacefully in the country.
Contribution of the 5th Baku Humanitarian Forum to international cooperation was hailed at the meeting.