Russia, Moscow, 12 November/ Trend , corr. R.Agayev / UNESCO will give commission to Religion Coordinating Council (RCC) to consider the current conflicts in the world, like in the Middle East and others, after specifying of organization issues beginning from January 2009. The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and ways to tackle the conflict will likely be considered, Sheikh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh, the chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO), told Trend in Moscow.
According to Pashazadeh, one of the main objectives of CMO is the use of every possible forum, including international organizations in order to inform the world public about the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, destruction of religious and cultural monuments of the Azerbaijani people in the occupied territories of the country, numerous acts of vandalism against religious monuments, culture, architecture and history, not only Muslims but also representatives of other faiths, including temples and churches, etc.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
Pashazadeh noted that the target of today's meeting of representatives of world religions in Moscow is to make the voice of religious people and leaders to be heard including from the rostrum of the UN. "Sometimes religious leaders and activists stay apart of tackling of political issues, and therefore, the establishment of the Religions Consulting Council in UN is our common effort," Pashazadeh said.
According to Pashazadeh, the establishment of the CMO also means that religious leaders will be involved to discuss and solve current urgent problems, including political issues. "However, the establishment of such an organization will take time. This issue has been discussed at meetings with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Therefore, the results of the Moscow meeting was agreed to take steps within the framework of UNESCO. We have sent a letter to the leadership of UNESCO, which expressed a desire to work temporarily with the organization. Since 20 January, we will hold a meeting in Paris with the leadership of UNESCO, where the aforesaid and other issues will find their final solution," Pashazadeh added.
Pashazadeh will represent Azerbaijan and Muslims of the Caucasus in CMO. This, according to Pashazadeh, is in itself a sign of
respect to Azerbaijan; praise his place and role in the world. "It is a kind of
support of course, which Azerbaijan carries out in the world. We are very
pleased that CMO, in particular Metropolitan Kirill and other figures, based
precisely on those recommendations which were sent to the Office of Caucasian
Muslims," Pashazadeh added.
CMO will actively advise political leaders that they were guided by correct criteria in resolving various issues and resolving urgent problems.