Azerbaijan’s multiculturalism model presented in Jerusalem - PHOTO

Ravan Hasanov, executive director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, participated in the 70th anniversary event of the Conference of European Rabbis held in Jerusalem, Israel.

According to information provided to The Daily Baku by the press service of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, Ravan Hasanov delivered a speech at the panel discussion titled “Faith, security and shared peaceful coexistence” organized within the framework of the conference. The panel discussion was moderated by well known political journalist and host of The Daily Edition program Ofer Hadad. Speakers also included Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Heritage Amichai Eliyahu, President of the International Society for Human Rights and the International Institute for Religious Freedom Bishop Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, as well as Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem Monsignor Rafic Nahra.

In his speech, the executive director stated that multiculturalism in Azerbaijan is not only a state policy but also a way of life for society. He noted that in the country various ethnic and religious communities including Jews, Christians, Muslims and other minorities have lived together for centuries in an atmosphere of peace, mutual respect and trust. Ravan Hasanov particularly emphasized that the Jewish community has lived in Azerbaijan for thousands of years in an environment of security and freedom, and that the country’s rich Jewish cultural heritage, synagogues and religious communities are vivid examples of this model of peaceful coexistence.

He also touched upon the growing security challenges at the international level, the trend of politicization of religion, as well as the spread of xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism. Ravan Hasanov noted that the misuse of religion for political purposes and artificially created extremist movements further deepen distrust and divisions between different religions. He especially stressed the importance of coordinated and joint action by international organizations, religious centers and states to address these problems.

Ravan Hasanov’s speech was assessed as a successful international presentation of Azerbaijan’s multiculturalism policy and a significant contribution to strengthening interfaith harmony. The messages he conveyed were remembered as a strong moral call for future cooperation based on peace, mutual respect and shared values.

At the end of the event, as an expression of high respect for Azerbaijan’s contribution to multicultural values and interfaith harmony and for the country’s model of tolerance, Ravan Hasanov was presented with the shofar musical instrument, a symbol of faith, repentance and spiritual awakening, on behalf of Jewish communities.