FM Mammadyarov: Azerbaijan has always called for fight against defamation of religions and incitement to religious hatred

Baku, May 29, AZERTAC Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has siad the country has always called for fight against defamation of religions and incitement to religious hatred. “Azerbaijan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, as it constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” he told the 42nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Kuwait. “As part of our sustained contributions for development of multiculturalism and tolerance, we were very pleased to host 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku on 18-19 May 2015. We are very delighted to host 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations next year in our country.” “It is a common knowledge that sport is a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and networks and to promote peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence and tolerance. As you know, Islamic Solidarity Games will be held in Azerbaijan in 2017 and it is a great honour and responsibility for us to host such event,” said the FM. “The situation in Palestine and the question of Al-Quds Al-Sharif require a unified stand of the international community. We highly appreciate the valuable work of the OIC Secretary General and his staff to consolidate our efforts and organize visits of the OIC Ministerial Contact Group aimed to provide all necessary assistance to the people of Palestine. The Government of Azerbaijan stands for the two-state solution and reaffirms its full support to the brotherly people of Palestine in their efforts for achieving peace, stability and establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” Mammadyarov said: “Since our last meeting we have been witnessed the sorrowful and tragic events, such as the Peshawar school massacre in Pakistan, Boko Haram violence in Nigeria, violent killings in Paris and atrocities committed by ISIS and the latest one on mosque in Saudi Arabia. To the deepest regret, executors of these heinous acts distort religion to serve their barbaric causes.” “As a result, all these actions lead to the misunderstanding of Islam religion in some parts of the world. Islam is a religion that promotes peace and understanding among people of all faiths, and it strictly prohibits all forms of violence and aggression against any human being regardless his or her faith,” he added.