President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Associate Dean of the US-based Simon Wiesenthal Centre Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Rabbi Abraham Cooper said he has paid few visits to Azerbaijan and each time witnessed religious tolerance here. He added that President Ilham Aliyev successfully continues this policy, which was founded by national leader Heydar Aliyev. Stressing that Azerbaijan is a model country in terms of religious tolerance, Rabbi Abraham Cooper thanked the head of state for his support for the organization of the joint exhibition of UNESCO and Simon Wiesenthal Centre to be arranged as part of the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of the exhibition, underlining the significance of bringing into the spotlight positive values such as religious tolerance, multiculturalism at a time when the global media mainly covers negative issues. The head of state noted that amid growing wars and conflicts, ethnic and religious tension, Azerbaijan is successfully developing in a peaceful atmosphere. President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan announced 2016 as a year of multiculturalism. The head of state said multiculturalism policy in Azerbaijan is based on social demand.
President Ilham Aliyev hailed intercultural peace and friendship in Azerbaijan, saying members of various religions and nations live peacefully in the country.
Contribution of the 5th Baku Humanitarian Forum to international cooperation was hailed at the meeting.
