Details added (first version posted on 09:45)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 21
Trend:
An international conference, titled “2017 – Year of Islamic Solidarity: Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue” has kicked off at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku Dec. 21.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev took part in the opening ceremony of the conference.
The conference is organized by the Caucasus Muslims Office and the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, and is dedicated to the results of the Year of Islamic Solidarity, proclaimed by a decree of President Aliyev.
The international conference is attended by well-known state, religious and scientific figures from about 40 countries, heads and representatives of eight international organizations, special representatives of heads of various states, leaders of religious confessions, government, public and parliamentary members, representatives of the diplomatic corps.
The conference started with the recitation of ayahs from Holy Quran.
President Aliyev has delivered speech at the event.
Congratulatory messages from the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Holy See (Vatican), Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II were read out.
Addressing the international conference participants on behalf of world Muslims, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Altwaijri emphasized Azerbaijan’s growing role in ensuring the strengthening of the Islamic solidarity and inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.
Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, co-chair of the CIS Interreligious Council Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade made a report at the conference.
Allahshukur Pashazade highlighted the international events jointly organized by the Caucasus Muslims Office and the State Committee on Work with Religious Organizations in a number of countries as part of the “Year of Islamic Solidarity”.