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ANKARA: Azerbaijan A Role Model For Coexistence In Syria

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  • ANKARA: Azerbaijan A Role Model For Coexistence In Syria

    AZERBAIJAN A ROLE MODEL FOR COEXISTENCE IN SYRIA

    Today's Zaman, Turkey
    May 30 2013

    Azerbaijan, a country in Turkey's neighborhood where different cultures
    and religions merge, is in a position to serve as a role model for
    war-torn Syria as it is a state that is welcoming of "the other"
    even though it is coping with a territorial conflict.

    It has already been more than two decades since Azerbaijan cut
    diplomatic relations with Armenia as the latter has continued its
    aggression toward the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent
    territories that are recognized as an integral part of Azerbaijan by
    the international community.

    "There are a lot of wars, hatred, religious extremism -- and what is
    happening in our dear and beloved country of Syria is threatening all
    of us," Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, director-general of the Islamic
    Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), said in
    a press conference held late on Wednesday in Baku, where the second
    World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is being held.

    The forum, which has a theme of "Peaceful Coexistence in a
    Multicultural World," kicked off in Baku on May 28 and will continue
    until June 1. The heads of international organizations, current and
    former presidents of several nations and the ministers of more than
    100 countries are attending the forum.

    Altwaijri called Azerbaijan a real model of coexistence and peaceful
    interaction in accepting "the other" and said that since 2005 he has
    been traveling to the country and seeing changes in the mentality of
    its people. "They want to be an example both in the nation's region
    as well as in other troublesome regions. They want to show that their
    way is a path to progress and development -- not dictatorship, and
    not neglecting and isolating important components of the community,"
    he said.

    In his speech, Altwaijri wished for a very quick recovery for the
    Syrian people and dignity and independence for Syria. He underlined
    that ISESCO does not want anyone from the outside to intervene
    in Syria.

    "We want Syrians to solve their problems and to find what is best
    for them," he stated.

    Speaking with regards to dialogue and tolerance, Altwaijri said that
    unfortunately, nothing is encouraging these notions in the Middle
    East. "The sectarian feelings that are mounting are threatening
    the fabric of our society and the interests of its people, as well
    as the safety of states' independence. Wise people on all fronts
    must work together to tear down these factors that break ties and
    bonds that normally bring people together," he said. He also urged
    the international community not to introduce religion as a tool for
    political and regional struggles. "Religion is sacred," he stated,
    "and when religion is used as an instrument to create hatred and
    division, there is no more purity in our belief -- because religion
    is mercy, whether it is for Islam or other religions."

    The ISESCO director-general said that people in the world need
    to get to know one another better and to better respect each
    other to coexist as humans and to build a better future for coming
    generations. He expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani government
    for exemplifying this and hosting the forum, as well as for bringing
    people from different backgrounds together to talk and work toward
    saving humanity from all types of religious and racial phobias.

    Katherine Stenou, a representative from the UN Educational, Scientific
    and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said in a speech at the forum that
    the organization is trying to create synergy for global cooperation and
    that Azerbaijan could be an asset to peaceful coexistence in the world.

    "We are trying to create a new hub here, and we are more than happy ...

    that Baku could be the hub of this new way of thinking," she said.

    Commenting on Stenou's wish to see Baku as a center for intercultural
    dialogue, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Ebulfes Garayev
    said that citizens and the state of Azerbaijan support Stenou's
    thoughts and views.

    According to a decree issued by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
    after the first World Forum, it will continue to be he held in
    Azerbaijan every second year.

    http://www.todayszaman.com/news-316974-azerbaijan-a-role-model-for-coexistence-in-syria.html




    From: A. Papazian
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