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Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations (SCRA) Mubariz Gurbanli met with representatives of US Jewish organizations who are visit on our country on October 30.
Welcoming the guests, the Chairman of SCRA briefed them on the activities of the Committee, as well as the multicultural traditions, interfaith tolerance and harmony that exist in Azerbaijan. He mentioned that 96 percent of the Azerbaijani population are Muslims. Muslims, Christians, Jews and representatives of all religious denominations in our country live in peace and harmony in our country. Mubariz Gurbanli said that 35 non-Muslim religious communities are registered in the country and Judaism has a long history in Azerbaijan. Noting that there are seven synagogues in the country, including the Mountain, European and Georgian Jewish communities in Azerbaijan, as well as the chairman of the Committee said that along with the Muslim religious communities in Azerbaijan, the state allocates financial aid to non-Muslim religious communities.
He stressed that the successes achieved in all fields under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, who continues the policy of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in a decent manner, also reflected the stability in public-political and religious fields.
Speaking to members of the delegation about the truths of Azerbaijan during the meeting, the SCRA chairman mentioned that 20% of our territories were occupied by Armenians. Gurbanli noted that religious and historical monuments have been destroyed in the occupied territories as a result of conflict and despite all these issues, the Armenian church was preserved in Baku. He added that only this fact is a clear indication of the tolerance of our people.
Expressing his sincere gratitude for the warm meeting, the Director of Russia and Eurasia at the American Jewish Committee Samuel Kliger said that Azerbaijan is in the forefront of the countries where Jews are free to practice their religious beliefs.
Rafael Nektarov, coordinator of the US and Canadian Congress of Bukhara Jews, expressed his satisfaction with the attention and care shown to Jewish religious communities, as well as the protection of Jewish heritage in Azerbaijan. He said the organization has always supported Azerbaijan's position in its activities and intends to make every possible effort and cooperation to strengthen its relations and mutual cooperation.
The guest's speeches highlighted the success of Azerbaijan in the economic sphere, the beauty of Baku and the hospitality of the Azerbaijani people.
At the end of the meeting Books on religious tolerance in Azerbaijan and Armenian vandalism against our cultural heritage which published in English by the SCRA were presented to the members of delegation.