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14 October 2006 [13:13] - Today.Az
US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse hosted iftar in her residence, on October 13. She invited the religious figures and heads of the diplomatic corps.

"Ramadan is the holiest month for the hundred millions of world Moslems, including US ones. The governments and religious communities should join efforts to combat with the forces trying to violate stability and turn civilizations against one another," Ambassador said.

Derse stated that there were many Moslem organizations in the United States, and the US government highly respects their opinion. Azerbaijan is an example of ethnic and religious tolerance just like the United States. Over the ages, Moslems, Christians and Jews live side by side here in tranquility. Azerbaijan as an active member of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) advocates peace and stability in the region.

Head of Caucasus Moslems Clerical Office Sheykh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, in his turn, noted that Azerbaijan has a great prestige both in the Moslem world and Europe. It once again testifies the tolerance of our nation. "I'd like the holy month to become a month of armistice for the world Moslems, and stop the war and terrorism."

"Azerbaijani society wants the United States to become more active in the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution efforts," Sheykh said

Haji Allahshukur Pashazade condemned those, who use the religion to kill the people, commit terror acts and try to break the dialogue between the civilizations. He stressed that humiliation of Islamic values in some countries may pose a threat. He also criticized the bill adopted October 12 in the French parliament making a crime the statements denying so called "Armenian Genocide," which may bring to the grave consequences. AzerTAg



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