“Azerbaijan can serve as an example for co-existence of world Moslems and Christians,” Alexei II, the patriarchy of Moscow and All Russia, said to sheik-ul-islam haji Allahshukur Pashazada, the chairman of the Caucasus Moslem Board, at the meeting on 14 September, Trend reports.
“Azerbaijan always was and remains tolerant country, where Moslems have good-neighborly relations with representatives of other religious communities,” he stressed. Alexei II appreciated the role and the services of the Azerbaijani leadership and the sheik-ul-islam.
The patriarchy mentioned Pashazada’s services in the religious revival. He congratulated the sheikh-ul-islam on the 25th anniversary of his election and thanked him for his special support to Baku eparchy.
“Unfortunately, we meet with politic extremism growth under the veil of Islam, Christianity and other religious. Terrorism and separatism don’t have justification,” the patriarchy noted. He also voiced hope in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the base of bilateral interests.
The sheik-ul-islam noted that the patriarchy’s visit to Azerbaijan and his special attitude to the country testified for good relations between Orthodox Christians and Moslems of our countries.
He said that the interreligious dialog between him and the patriarchy was the effective reply to the challenge of time. “The dialog will allow us to destroy the myth of our religions and stand against human vices,” he added.
The patriarchy conferred to the sheik-ul-islam the Order of Reverend Sergey Radonejskiy and presents.
The religious leaders signed a joint communiquГ© at the end of the meeting.