Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 29 / Trend M. Aliyev /
Certain forces aim to spread separatism in the Caucasus, taking advantage of the significant ethnic and religious diversity, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheik-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade said during the opening of the academic conference "Preventing the spread of extremist ideology in the Caucasus," dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence on Thursday.
"At present, religious and ethnic extremism is a misfortune in the Caucasus," he said. "Every Caucasus resident who is faithful to his religion must avoid such enticements."
The conference has been organized by the Caucasus Muslims Office and the Moscow State University of Philology. Azerbaijani and Russian religious figures, theologians, and public representatives of civil society will attend the conference.