On November 30, a conference on "State-religion relations: in the context of geopolitical realities and global challenges" is being held in Nakhchivan under the organization of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations.
The participants of the conference first visited the monument of National Leader of our people Heydar Aliyev erected in the center of Nakhchivan city, laid a wreath and flowers in front of the monument and paid tribute to the memory of the Great Leader.
The conference started with the singing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Later, the dear memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country was commemorated with a minute's silence. The film "Always with us" jointly produced by the State Committee and its subsidiary Fund for the Promotion of Moral Values and "Global Media Group" was shown.
Fuad Najafli, authorized representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, opened the conference with an introductory speech and spoke about the importance of large-scale measures implemented in the field of preserving our religious and moral values under the leadership of our National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He emphasized that as a result of Heydar Aliyev's great efforts, freedom of conscience and religion, religious security was ensured in our country, and a healthy religious ideology was formed. He said that today, based on the National Leader's recommendations, the religious policy in Azerbaijan is implemented in accordance with the course of democratic state building, as well as the principle of regulating state-religion relations at the national-moral and legal level. Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, systematic work is being carried out in the direction of regulating religious values, tolerance and multicultural traditions in our country. Azerbaijan is already presenting the state-religion model to the world, religious tolerance and tolerance in our country is considered as an example. The First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva conducts systematic work not only in our country, but in general, in the framework of the protection of the world human heritage, shows a sensitive attitude to religious values, contributes to the creation of religious solidarity in society and the promotion of inter-religious dialogue at the global level. F. Najafli spoke about the implementation of the duties set by the President of the country regarding the development of state-religion relations at the same time in Nakhchivan.
Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, noted the achievements of Azerbaijan in the past period and said that the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev successfully continued the path started by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in the 90s of last century in these lands - ancient Nakhchivan. He noted that one of the biggest factors that ensure our victories is our national unity. Interreligious harmony and coexistence environment in our society played an important role in the creation of one of the perfect models of state-religion relations in our republic.
Ramin Mammadov said that the state-religious relations system of Azerbaijan is based on several important pillars. He touched on the importance of a modern secular state, loyalty to traditions and the existence of a clear, concrete vision of the future. He emphasized that the function of the state is not only to ensure the socio-economic well-being, rights and security of its citizens. It also creates defense mechanisms for the system of national-moral values that every nation has, and religion is a part of this system. There is no concept of intolerance to others in the thinking and historical memory of our people. Ethnic and religious diversity is not a dividing line, but a unifying factor that encourages mutual dialogue. A strong state is also important for detecting such possibilities in time, predicting them, and taking necessary measures.
Stating that the event was dedicated to the current topic, the Chairman of the Committee said that especially the current geopolitical realities encourage us to analyze the tasks in front of us more deeply. The historical victories achieved by Azerbaijan in recent years worry many political circles.
The main mission of the conference is to study ideas and proposals that allow us to protect and further strengthen the model of state-religion relations, which is our historical achievement.
Stating that holding the conference in Nakhchivan is of special importance, Fazil Mustafa Mukhtar, Chairman of the Public Unions and Religious Institutions Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke about the strategic position of the Republic. Stating that Azerbaijan's state-religion relations have a unique structure, F. Mustafa said that the right to freedom of conscience of Azerbaijani citizens is reflected in the country's legislation. Speaking about the state's concern for religion, the MP particularly noted the process of beautifying religious monuments in the liberated areas.
Bakhtiyar Najafov, Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, emphasized that the dynamics of the political tradition established in the direction of preservation and development of national and moral values has increased as a result of the wise policy of the head of state Ilham Aliyev. B. Najafov, who pointed out that the mosque-shrine complexes, churches, and synagogues built and repaired in different regions of the republic are a visual proof of what he said, said that the President of the country always pays attention to the construction works in the territories freed from occupation, and every time he visits, he restores and repairs the monuments of our national and spiritual heritage. stressed that he is closely interested in.
The conference will continue its work with panels on "State-religion relations: at the level of ideological security" and "Return to national-moral values: tradition and modernity".