Vatican highly appreciates the activities of Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, the chairman of the Caucasus Moslem Board, in strengthening of tolerance and religious indulgence in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, and rewards him with the Saint Gregorys order, nuncio Claudio Gugeretti, the representatives of Vatican in the South Caucasus, said at handing of the highest order of the Catholic Church to Sheikhulislam, Trend reports.
We witnessed high tolerance and religious indulgence in Azerbaijan through efforts of the Sheukhulislam, he added. According to Gugeretti, this tolerance makes good impression both on John Paul II, the ex-head of Vatican, and Benedict XVI, the current head of the Catholic Church.
Touching upon the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in some European newspapers, he said that they witnessed sufficient sad events wounded feelings of millions of believers. According to Gugeretti, Vatican condemned this case exceeding all limits and called it far from cultural and religious rules. From time to time all religions faced with similar events, but got out of the situation through tolerance. It is possible to prevent interreligious wars only by this way.
We support development of the relations between religions and highly appreciate the role of the Sheikhulislam in this sphere.
The tolerance does not exceed the set limits in Azerbaijan. If Rome spokes about it now, it testifies that Azerbaijan is on right track, Pashazade stressed. The country continues this policy and it is spread to other religions and religious communities, living in Azerbaijan. Sheikhulislam condemned the forces, which turned the issue of cartoons of the Prophet into political one, and called on the religious leaders and scientists to dialogue and consultations. Pashazade appreciated his rewarding with Saint Gregorys order as step toward peace and fraternity, as well as call to dialogue and estimation of tolerance in Azerbaijan.
