Romanian secretary of state hails multiculturalism and tolerance in Azerbaijan

Baku, May 11, AZERTAC Victor Opaski, State Secretary of the Government of Romania for Religious Affairs, has hailed the Azerbaijani traditions of multiculturalism and tolerance as he met with Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade. Opaski said that peoples of Romania and Azerbaijan have suffered a similar fate in terms of being subjected to religious pressures throughout the history. He noted that that since the country’s restoration of independence, Romania has made great strides in all the spheres, including in religion. Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said that multiculturalism and tolerance is a way of life in Azerbaijan. “Regardless of their faith, language, nationality, race, everyone lives in the atmosphere of friendship, brotherhood and kindness, and equally enjoys the state support and care,” the chairman added. Pashazade drew the Romanian state secretary’s attention to events of vital importance to world Azerbaijanis – the 95th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and the centenary of the establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic - this year. He provided an insight into Azerbaijan's model of multiculturalism and state policy implemented in the country under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in this area. He spoke about Azerbaijan’s contribution to the establishment of multiculturalism, tolerance, intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue, promotion of the Islamic culture throughout the world. “Against a background of growing extremism, xenophobia, islamophobia, radicalism, terrorism and migration crisis in the world, thanks to the successful policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, multiculturalism and tolerance in Azerbaijan, built on the foundations of the coexistence of different religions and nationalities, is a model for everyone,” Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said.