The Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, who is participating in the 10th Anniversary Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Cascais, Portugal, on the theme "Unity in Peace – Rebuilding Trust, Reshaping the Future," delivered a speech at the forum’s "Global Conference on the Protection of Religious Sites" on November 27.

Sheikhulislam A. Pashazade stated that in a polarizing world facing a real nuclear threat, and at a time when xenophobic manifestations and hate speech inciting conflict on national, religious, and racial grounds are increasing, restoring global trust is a necessary condition for shaping a just and prosperous future: "Ideas such as peaceful coexistence, a culture of mutual understanding, inter-civilizational and interreligious dialogue and cooperation, and multiculturalism are of particular significance for solving global problems related to peace and the future. In the words of the President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, inter-civilizational and inter-cultural dialogue is one of the most urgent tasks in the world. It is commendable that the UN and its Alliance of Civilizations, which has a 20-year history, always keep this important direction in focus."

Sheikhulislam A. Pashazade further noted that the challenges of the modern era impose serious responsibilities on humanity. It is precisely as a result of the ideological effects of hatred that cases of insulting the sacred values and attributes of religions are increasing, and religion is being abused for political purposes: "We strongly condemn any manifestations of radicalism under the guise of freedom of speech and religion, as well as anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia, and especially cases of insulting the sacred sites, values, and attributes of religions, and examples of cultural heritage and monuments."

Emphasizing that multicultural Azerbaijan, which was honored to host the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 by the unanimous decision of 200 countries, restored its internationally recognized territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter and the resolutions of the UN Security Council, the CMB Chairman A. Pashazade spoke about the Azerbaijani state's current restoration of cities and villages in our liberated territories, and the reconstruction and construction of destroyed and desecrated examples of our national, religious, and spiritual heritage, including monuments belonging to all religions—mosques and temples—in line with our multicultural traditions, and the large-scale reconstruction work carried out after clearing our lands of mines. He stated that we have always felt the support of the UN Alliance of Civilizations for the work we have done over the years to restore and protect the religious and spiritual heritage in our territories subjected to "culturicide," and we are extremely grateful for this. Mr. Moratinos, who has visited our country repeatedly, is sufficiently informed about our country's role in the process of inter-civilizational dialogue, the multicultural environment, the high level of fruitful interreligious cooperation, and state-religion relations. Azerbaijan, which has a unique example of interreligious cooperation and inter-sectarian understanding, is capable of making real contributions to inter-civilizational dialogue.

Recalling that the Baku Declaration, adopted at the Global Summit of Religious Leaders within the framework of the UN Climate Change Conference - COP 29, proposed the establishment of an Advisory Council under the COP to successfully coordinate the efforts of religious leaders for a Green World, Sheikhulislam A. Pashazade drew attention to the fact that the main source of the problems threatening the future of humanity is the separation of people from their spiritual and moral roots, and once again stressed that the time has truly come to establish an advisory body of religious leaders: "To prevent attempts to clash civilizations and to solve global problems, it is necessary to rely on universal moral values alongside international legal norms in the world. The Alliance of Civilizations has proven itself as an effective platform for dialogue and cooperation with two decades of rich and valuable experience. And we, religious leaders, heartily appreciate and support the efforts of the Alliance of Civilizations towards global peace and mutual understanding."

Press Service of the Caucasus Muslims Board

Reference to the website is required when using materials!