The details were added (the first version was posted at 1:16 p.m.)
Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 22 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
After the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence, it has became a leading country in the region -- not only because of its socio-economic achievements, but also freedom of conscience and protection of its historic monuments, chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations Hidayat Orujov said at a meeting of the "round table" on "Our independence and national and spiritual values" on Thursday.
Orujov said that the international organizations and religious leaders recognize that our country is an example of tolerance and conducts intercultural and inter-religious dialogues.
"Indulgence and religious tolerance strengthened in Azerbaijan thanks to Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev's state and religious concept," Orujev said. "We regret to stress that there are still forces willing to create confrontation between the religious confessions in our country."
He said that Azerbaijan has rich historical experience in getting along with religious and ethnic groups. These provocateurs will not be able to get Azerbaijani people to turn from the right way and damage the old traditions by their actions.
"One of our main responsibilities is to prevent the activity of provocative forces, such as religious organizations that operate contrary to our state and national interests," he said. "You can be sure that the state respects the religious faith of any citizen. But it has strongly prevented and will continue preventing religious extremism and promoting ideas of intolerance. It is impossible to allow the use of religion for political purposes, the abuse of religious freedom, or the expanding of the activities of forces calling people to radical actions."