The IEPF chairman emphasized in his opening speech the importance of such events for raising awareness in the world about the urgency of establishment of peace, tolerance, equality, peaceful co-existence, and resolution of conflicts. He also stressed that ordinary people’s national and religious feelings as well as their right to live in freedom and peace are in the center of attention of media outlets under the control of various world power centers. The issues of inter-ethnic dialogue, religious tolerance, and multiculturalism have never been as important as now. It is known that the media has a strong influence upon our society. Media is a mirror of our thoughts and behavior. Although sometimes the media contributes to deepening of antagonisms in the society and inciting conflicts, it nevertheless possesses great potential for solving the existing problems.
There are many examples of the media being used for splitting societies, inciting hatred against minorities, and promoting public violence. The war in former Yugoslavia and genocide in Rwanda testify to the extent of the media’s contribution to splitting the societies into various ethnic communities through inciting ethnic hatred.
Desecration of religious beliefs, promotion of national and ethnic intolerance, violation of the values respected by the people throughout the years through the spread of unbalanced and one-sided information have turned into a source of danger for the humanity.
Horrible murders committed in the Middle East under the name of Islam as well as anti-Islamic campaigns undertaken in Europe and the US are actually leading up to a chasm between the Western and Eastern civilizations.
Along with emphasizing the importance of discussing these issues not only for Azerbaijan, but also the whole world, the IEPF chairman said that the main objectives of the event are promoting the key elements of peace, tolerance, and multiculturalism as well as considering Azerbaijan’s model of tolerance and its historical and cultural heritage, and sharing the relevant practices.
Among those speaking at the event were public adviser on the issues of inter-ethnic relations, multiculturalism, and religion of the Republic of Azerbaijan Kamal Abdulla, vice president of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan Bahar Muradova, chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Mubariz Gurbanly, chairman of the Council on State Support to NGOs under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azay Guliyev, deputy chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Board Gamar Javadly, director of the Center on Religion and the Professions of the Religion Newswriters Association Debra Mason, chairman of the Press Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aflatun Amashov.
Public adviser on the issues of inter-ethnic relations, multiculturalism, and religion of the Republic of Azerbaijan Kamal Abdulla stressed that Azerbaijan is a country, where representatives of various confessions peacefully co-exist. According to him, the prevalence of humanistic values has played a crucial role in guaranteeing peaceful conditions for ethnic groups professing diverse beliefs and faiths: On one of my summer vacations I attended a synagogue. We had a conversation on different issues with the rabbi of that synagogue, who came to work in Azerbaijan eight years ago. He wasn’t willing to move to Azerbaijan, when his directors had decided to send him here. So, he resisted against this decision, thinking that anti-Jewish mood would be prevalent in this Muslim country. However, the rabbi, who had moved to this country against his will, has by now applied for Azerbaijani citizenship. This is Azerbaijani multiculturalism. We call on you to support this multiculturalism. Despite all the pressures, Azerbaijan is doing its best in order to maintain this multiculturalism.”
Member of the parliament Bahar Muradova spoke about the importance of human freedom and respect for national traditions. She also mentioned that freedom is an abstract concept. We should discuss where the freedom starts and where it ends. It is obvious that ones freedom should not be obstructing others freedom. The superiority of laws is of utmost importance. In some places they first make up the laws and then adapt national and moral values to these laws. In Azerbaijan the laws have been created based on the national and moral values. Azerbaijan is open to all nations and religions. No discrimination is observed here. Azerbaijan is always ready for a mutual exchange of ideas in this field with other countries.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Bahar Muradova has emphasized that the Azerbaijani society is respecting all ethnicities, religions, and traditions. We are trying to both learn and teach. We are doing our best to ensure that the members of our society are living under conditions of mutual understanding and tolerance.
Bahar Muradova also mentioned that the values that exist in the West don’t correspond to the real situation. There is a need for the media to turn these values into reality. Azerbaijani values have not been constructed based on the existing laws, but the laws adapted to the existing values.
According to the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Mubariz Gurbanly, the fact that the religious and national tolerance, that has historically been present in Azerbaijan, was raised to the level of state policy is an event of historical significance. He stressed that those visiting Azerbaijan for the first time always leave with positive impressions. Azerbaijan is a traditionally tolerant country. There have never been religious conflicts in Azerbaijan. Representatives of various religions have always been treated with respect here.
Mubariz Gurbanly mentined that Azerbaijan has historically been tolerant towards all religions: “The fact that the Jews have resided in the Caucasus and the existence of the Caucasian Albania demonstrate the prevalence of tolerance in this region. Even after converting to Islam we have been tolerant to other religions. If you study our history, you will realize that there have never been inter-religious or inter-racial conflicts in this country. 20 percent of our territory is under Armenian occupation. Despite this, no hostility is being bred against Armenians in Azerbaijan. It has always been like this. I have met with the representative of the Al Jazeera internatonal media network. I asked her about the information she has had prior to coming to Azerbaijan. She replied: “Yes, I have tried to obtain information on Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, all the materials I have come across with were very discouraging. Azerbaijan is represented just like Kabul in Afganistan. However, the knowledge that I gained after coming here proved how wrong I was. People live here in a friendly manner. There is stability. Azerbaijan is one of the developing Muslim countries.” I am regretful that representatives of the leading media outlets are hesitant to share the truth about Azerbaijan. Even if the visitor to Azerbaijan comes with discouraging thoughts, he changes his attitude after familiarizing himself with the real situation.”
Mubariz Gurbanly also touched upon the recent issue of migrant flows to Europe: “sectarian and inter-ethnic wars are now ongoing in 42 countries. At least 200,000 people lose their lives in these wars every year. The cities are being destroyed. The flow of a million of refugees is expected to Europe. This will result in a big economic problem. During last 14 years, some 2.5 million people have become the victims of ongoing inter-religious and inter-ethnic wars. Religious and sectarian wars are destroying the communities. The states have to embark on the path of struggling against this. Allah has sent the prophets to us - Jesus, Moses, the Prophet Muhammad - and the holy books. All the religions are criticizing what is currently happening. None of the religions praises human death. I wonder if one of the prophets was alive, which country would he chose for living?! I think he would have chosen Azerbaijan.”
The speech of the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations was followed by the speech of the chairman of the Council on State Support to NGOs under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azay Guliyev, who expressed his discontent with framing the acts of terrorism as being religious: “The media giants are trying to represent the terrorists as the Islamists. ISIS is a terrorist organization. Terrorists have no connection to religion. Unfortunately, both international and local media are representing them as the “Islamic State”. It doesn’t matter how they are presenting themselves. If they refer to themselves as Islamists, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are religious. I would also like for the representatives of media outlets, which are present here, to pay attention to this issue.”
Deputy chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Board Gamar Javadly mentioned that the topics related to religious and moral values have always been of utmost importance for the Azerbaijani media. One may find a myriad of media materials concerning national tolerance. In order to ensure proper representation of religious issues in the media, lectures on religion may be given by the department of journalism.
These speeches were followed by panel discussions on following topics: “Tolerance in the era of globalization. The role of media in tolerant approach to religious and non-religious beliefs in culturally diverse societies”, “The importance of multiculturalism, inter-religious dialogue, and tolerant environment and the model of Azerbaijan”, “Contribution of religious and non-religious beliefs in combating discrimination, intolerance, and all forms of violence”.
Director of the US Center on Religion and the Professions of the Religion Newswriters Association Debra Mason, Akhund of Egypt’s Sultan Hasan Mosque Khalid Hemayeh, the US Religion News Services Director of Global Strategy Brian Pellot, Representative of the Georgian National Committee of the International Press Institute Paata Veshapidze, Egypts “Rozal Yusif” newspaper journalist and researcher Ahmed Abu Sayyid Ahmad Tarabek, head of Pakistans “Press Freedom Consortium” Malik Ayub Khan, deputy chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Gunduz Ismayilov, head of the foreign relations department of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Nijat Mammadli, editor in chief of “Khalg Jebhesi” newspaper Elchin Mirzabeyli, deputy chairman of the Press Council Vugar Rahimzade, chairman of the Trade Union of Journalists Mushfig Alasgarli, editor in chief of “525-ci qazet” Rashad Majid, chairman of the Community of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan Milikh Yevdayev, Bishop of the Baku-Caspian Eparchy of The Russian Orthodox Church Aleksandr Isheyin, as well as representatives of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan and the Alban-Udin community were among those, who delivered speeches during the panel discussions.
A recognized Israeli expert in the field of international relations, chairman of the “International Projects for the Society” Arye Gut mentioned that despite the heavy and bloody territorial conflict with Armenia and occupation of 20 percent of its territory, being a victim of double standards, and being located in a very complex and fragile geopolitical context, the Republic of Azerbaijan is a recognized regional leader in the South Caucasus, providing an example of genuine dialogue between civilizations and religions. He also said that “Despite such large-scale murder and displacement, the core principle of peaceful coexistence continued to define Azerbaijani society. From this point of view, Azerbaijan is a unique secular country, growing economy of the Islamic world, and beacon of development combining the Western pragmatism with the Eastern hospitality and traditions. Azerbaijan has been the home to many faiths and nations and will remain to be so. Judaism and Islam, Zoroastrianism and Christianity have existed on the ancient land of Azerbaijan. Even today this country is making unprecedented efforts to ensure tolerance and religious acceptance. Sincere relations with the countrys Jewish community are a brilliant example of Azerbaijani tolerance. It should be emphasized that Anti-Semitism has never existed in Azerbaijan, and the Jews have never felt like outsiders here. Two synagogues and the largest Jewish educational Centre in the South Caucasus have been built here under the patronage of the Azerbaijan president. It has also been planned to build the first Jewish museum in the country. In a viciously cruel world, where people are being killed just for belonging to another denomination of the same religion, we in Israel are observing and appreciating the genuine example of modern, civilized, and strong Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is really providing an example for a number of countries of the Islamic world.”
Senior Advisor of the Department on Social and Political Issues of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mahsat Aliyeva said that 30,000 Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin are currently residing in Azerbaijan. “But if you go to Armenia, you won’t be able to find even three Armenian citizens of Azerbaijani origin. Representatives of all nations, except for Armenians, have been driven out of the country. Armenia is nowadays a mono-ethnic country. Not only anti-Turkism, but also anti-Semitism is on rise in Armenia. Very few citizens of Jewish origin are still residing in Armenia, and they are subjected to strong pressures. Based on this, we may conclude that Azerbaijan does not experience any problems pertaining to inter-ethnic and international relations. Then the question is – what problem did Armenians experience here? There is only one answer to this – Armenians have territorial claims against Azerbaijan.”
It should be mentioned that participants of the forum have also headed to Guba, Gabala, Sheki, and Gakh to familiarize themselves with historical monuments and sites belonging to various religions.