ISLAMABAD-November, 17(TNS): Azerbaijan is a fast developing, stable, and a very safe Muslim country of South Caucasus region. It is blessed with sizeable hydrocarbon resources and beautiful landscapes. The location of Azerbaijan at the crossroads of Southwest Asia and Southeast Europe makes it highly important for the region and beyond.
Azerbaijan has a stable economy, which is primarily driven by oil revenues but the recent positive developments in non-oil sectors are praiseworthy. Progress in the tourism and industrial sectors is also commendable.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy excellent political relations. Pakistan was amongst the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan.
Akin to the two Governments, people of brotherly Muslim countries are very close to each other. The friendship has stood the test of times Exchange of top level visits has boosted up the bilateral cooperation in diversified fields to newer levels.
Chairman of the Azerbaijan “Young Reformers” Public Union Farid Shahbazli was gracious enough to speak to the TNS.
Giving an interview he said: “Azerbaijan will closely cooperate with the Muslim countries in promoting the universal and peaceful values of the Islamic World.”
Continuing he said, “Today, the Islamic world is dealing with serious problems and conflicts, the wars continue in some Muslim countries, the innocent people are killed. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which emerged as a result of Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani lands, problems such as Palestine and Kashmir, conflicts in the Middle East are among them. Some of the circles who misuse these events are trying to present Islam to the world as the terror religion, which undoubtedly requires the strengthening of Islamic solidarity among Muslim states.
Responding to a question he said: “Azerbaijan as a Muslim state is taking important steps to strengthen Islamic solidarity and to present its peace-loving nature to the world. For this purpose, 2017 was declared by President Ilham Aliyev as the year of Islamic Solidarity and Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games were arranged. Participating in major events organized in Azerbaijan within the framework of “Islamic Solidarity year” Muslim countries participated in the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games giving a message of peace and stability to the whole world.”
To another question Shahbazli said: “After restoration of state independence in the early 1990s, freedom of religion and conscience was established in Azerbaijan, significant work was done in the restoration of religious monuments, mosques and temples. If there were only 17 mosques in Azerbaijan during the USSR, their number reached 2166 by the beginning of 2017.”
“At present, 306 mosques are protected by the state as a historical monument. On the directive and support of President Ilham Aliyev, Bibiheybat mosque-sanctuary complex, Tazapir mosque, Icherisheher Juma and Hazret Mohammed mosques, Ajdarbey Mosque, Shamakhy Juma Mosque, Ganja Imamzadeh Complex and dozens of other religious monuments and mosques have been renovated and restored by the state for the benefit of believers,” he added.
Answering one more question he said: “The announcement of 2016 as the Year of Multiculturalism, 2017 as the Year of Islamic Solidarity in the Republic of Azerbaijan proves that it is possible to create a society model based on the harmony of religious and cultural diversity and present it to the whole world. People of Azerbaijan are quite friendly and hospitable. The country has a great sense of tolerance towards people from other faiths and the sects. This pluralistic and multi-cultural nature is one of the greatest strength of Azerbaijani society.”
Shahbazli further said: “Relations with all Muslim countries of Azerbaijan are based on principles of friendship and brotherhood. He emphasized that independent Azerbaijan always paid special attention to the relations with Islamic world.
“Azerbaijan’s first diplomatic missions started operating in Muslim countries, and in brief space of time our state has become an active member of the organizations that unite the Muslim world, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) etc.,” he concluded.
