Azerbaijan's top cleric condemns radicalism and xenophobia masquerading as religion

In the modern world, ideological currents of hatred have increasingly led to insults against sacred values and religious symbols, as well as the exploitation of religion for political ends, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), said.

He made the remarks during a special session of the Astana Congress and the UN Alliance of Civilisations focused on the protection of religious sites, according to the domestic press.

Pashazade strongly denounced any manifestations of radicalism and xenophobia disguised as freedom of speech or religion, particularly acts of terrorism and vandalism targeting sacred places, religious values, cultural heritage sites, and monuments.

He said: "We call for an end to the bloody clashes that are leading to the deaths of innocent people in all the world's hot spots, especially in the Middle East and Gaza, for a ceasefire, for the prevention of the destruction of material and spiritual heritage, religious sites, an end to countless migration tragedies, and we advocate for the peaceful resolution of problems in accordance with international law and UN resolutions."

The CMO Chairman also underscored Azerbaijan’s restoration of its internationally recognised territorial integrity and sovereignty in line with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.

"Today, the Azerbaijani state is restoring and rebuilding our national and religious-spiritual heritage sites that were destroyed and desecrated as a result of acts of vandalism in the territories liberated from occupation, while remaining faithful to its multicultural traditions and restoring monuments of all religions — mosques and temples," Pashazade said.

He added: "We have always felt the support of the UN Alliance of Civilisations in our work to restore and protect the religious and spiritual heritage in territories that have suffered cultural genocide, and for this we are immensely grateful."

By Tamilla Hasanova