Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, is on a visit to the United States of America.

Within the framework of his visit to the state of Utah, at the invitation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) community and the Stirling Foundation, CMB Chairman Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade participated in the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on October 4.

The CMB Chairman A. Pashazade's Address to the Conference was released. The Address stated:

"To the public and religious leaders of the State of Utah, USA! I am honored to convey to you the greetings of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a country of multicultural values, our state leader His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, and our people. I am pleased to meet with you at the Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the hospitable land of Utah, and I offer thanks to the One Creator for the opportunity to meet and communicate with such esteemed people.

Our Holy Book, the Holy Quran, states: 'O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you' (Al-Hujurat, 13). Our diversity, which is a Grace from our Exalted Creator, serves for us to be closer and to know each other better.

We always support all international efforts that encourage unity around ideals serving universal human solidarity, and we actively participate in events in this direction. The friendly ties that have developed between the religious confessions of the United States of America and Azerbaijan are extremely valuable to us. Our mutual visits, joint events, and the shared projects we initiate carry spiritual significance and serve the interests of our peoples. I would like to state with great satisfaction that the community of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has officially become a member of Azerbaijan's multicultural family. I greet the members and followers of this Church in the environment of interreligious harmony in Azerbaijan and wish for it to be a source of blessings.

The people of Azerbaijan highly appreciate the United States' long-standing support for our just cause in restoring our territorial integrity as the strongest supporter of international law in the world, as well as the continuous efforts of the US toward achieving peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We highly value the Washington Summit of August 8 this year as a result of these valuable efforts and the personal support of US President Mr. Trump for the peace process. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of our people and all our religious confessions, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Stirling Foundation for its great material and moral support for the humanitarian initiative of mine clearance in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.

The 17-year history of the Baku Process for Intercultural Dialogue, authored by His Excellency President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, serves human solidarity worldwide. The I and II Summits of World Religious Leaders were held in Azerbaijan in 2010 and 2019, and a Summit of Religious Leaders was organized within the framework of COP29 Baku in 2024. Azerbaijan is one of the rare places in the world where historically there has been no conflict between followers of different religions and denominations; religious confessions operating in our country have equal rights and are surrounded by the attention and care of the state.

The foundation of society building in Azerbaijan, which regained its independence in 1991, based on the harmony of religious and cultural diversity, was laid thanks to the Azerbaijanism ideology of our national leader Heydar Aliyev, the author of the expression 'High tolerance is a manifestation of high culture.' President Ilham Aliyev, the successor of this successful political course, established Multiculturalism at the level of state policy. First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, esteemed Mehriban Aliyeva, with her noble activity in promoting multiculturalism globally, is contributing to Azerbaijan becoming an international voice in the direction of inter-civilizational dialogue and cooperation.

The happy future of humanity is possible on the foundations of peace and peaceful coexistence, which necessitates reliance on the spiritual values commanded and instilled in us by our Exalted Creator. As a religious center, the Caucasus Muslims Board is proud of its high-level business and fruitful relations with the State of Utah, the Stirling Foundation, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It is our common goal that these relations continue and develop through joint initiatives and shared events. I am very glad that such a religious community and a commendable and praiseworthy way of life exist right here on the land of Utah, which we have visited. I express my deep gratitude for the invitation to today's Conference and wish you all success in your noble activities. May the Exalted Creator bestow success upon the work of today's goodwill event! AMEN!"

Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade offered his deepest condolences to the Church community regarding the passing of the Church's late leader, President Russell Nelson, and also congratulated the Church's new president, Dallin Oaks. A film was shown at the Conference in memory of the late President of the Church. The film also included a video clip reflecting the late President's past meeting with the CMB Chairman.

Following the Conference, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade met with Adam Stuart, President of the Utah State Senate. Expressing positive views on Azerbaijan's multicultural way of life during the sincere meeting, the Senate President conveyed his sympathy and support for Azerbaijan.

Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, and Javanshir Pashazade, Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participated in the events.

The visit of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, to the United States of America continues.

Press Service of the Caucasus Muslims Board