Presidential Administration: Azerbaijan can be proud of tolerance and free development of all religions

Society builds its activities not only on the basis of laws, but also on the spiritual needs, such as religious beliefs. Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department head Ali Hasanov said at the ‘Society and Religion’ roundtable organized at the Azerbaijani Presidential Public Administration Academy on Saturday. The state is obliged to create a balance between science and religion, he said.

"The tolerance of people and the free development of all religions in Azerbaijan is a factor to be proud of. The development of a tolerant environment in Azerbaijan is the responsibility of not only the state and religious authorities, but also challenge for scientists,” Hasanov said.

Acting Rector of the Public Administration Academy, Professor Alikram Abdullayev said the relations between the state and religions, as well as the religion-society in Azerbaijan, are valued as an attractive model among the countries of the world. He said the religion plays a big role in public life and fills the spiritual needs of people.

"The purpose of the roundtable is to discuss a more harmonious construction of the scientific community, and relations between society and religion," Abdullayev said.

Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Chairman Rabiyat Aslanova said “people have been strongly attached by religion all over the world”.

There are religious groups that attempt to influence on the people in Azerbaijan, she said citing the problem of hijab, as well as attempts to intervene in politics under the name of Islamic parties, as example for this.

Aslanova said tolerance does not mean loyal attitude to such facts.

"Today, all confessions have equal rights and no religion has been given advantage in Azerbaijan,” Aslanova said. “It is necessary to develop relations between the faiths in Azerbaijan”.

Aslanova said the status of Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) must be defined and its capabilities expanded.
"How can this institutional structure operate as a public structure?” she said.

Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations Hidayat Orujev said the geopolitical position of Azerbaijan requires a well thought-out and well-balanced policy in the sphere of religious activity.

"Otherwise, some groups try to speak on behalf of the religion to achieve their goals and take steps aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country,” Orujov said.


/Trend/