On 16 March, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations and the affiliated Foundation for the Promotion of Spiritual Values organized an iftar ceremony in Rustavi, Georgia.

The event was attended by representatives from relevant agencies of Azerbaijan and Georgia, members of the Georgian Parliament, heads of local executive authorities, representatives from the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Georgia and the Georgian Patriarchate, as well as religious figures and community members.

Faiq Guliyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Georgia, emphasized the importance of organizing such events for compatriots living abroad. He noted that the historically tested bilateral relations between the two states have reached the level of strategic partnership, and that Azerbaijanis in Georgia maintain a close connection to their national and religious traditions, supported by various associations and societies promoting these values.

Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, highlighted that Azerbaijan and Georgia, as neighboring peoples with shared cultural values, have a long tradition of coexistence. Both countries are recognized as multiethnic and multi-confessional states in the South Caucasus, where multiculturalism and tolerance serve as unifying values. He stressed that these values are regarded as part of the national heritage of the peoples and that the iftar gathering exemplifies centuries-long friendship, strategic partnership, and shared universal values of tolerance.

He added that the policy of President Mr.Ilham Aliyev strengthens the spiritual ties of every Azerbaijani, regardless of where they reside, with their historic homeland. Initiatives for religious education and the promotion of national and spiritual values among Azerbaijanis abroad contribute to unity and reinforce their bonds with Azerbaijan.

Arzu Naghiyev, Chairman of the Committee on Defense, Security, and Anti-Corruption of the Milli Mejlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan, and head of the Azerbaijan–Georgia Parliamentary Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, highlighted the rich historical ties between the peoples of the region and the exemplary economic, social, and political cooperation between the two countries, stressing the need to regularly organize meaningful moral events.

Davit Davitashvili, Head of the Department of the State Agency for Religious Affairs of Georgia, noted that Azerbaijanis living in Georgia enjoy constitutionally guaranteed rights and active participation in public life, while the state respects religious freedom, enabling all communities to operate in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and tolerance.

Nino Latsabidze, Mayor of Rustavi, extended congratulations to Muslims on Ramadan and emphasized the significance of the environment of mutual respect and tolerance prevailing in Georgia, including Rustavi.

Representatives, such as Irakli Satakishvili, Deputy of the Georgian Parliament, Etibar Eminov, Mufti of Eastern Georgia of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Georgia, and Məhəmməd Shamilov, representative of the Caucasus Muslims Office in Georgia, spoke about the importance of Ramadan and the role of the iftar table in promoting solidarity, friendship, and cooperation.

Following a Qur’an recitation by Jalal Jafarli, the iftar table was opened for participants.