The first years of independence of Azerbaijan, which gained state independence as a result of global processes and national liberation movements in the world towards the end of the 20th century, were in a difficult war. The country is rapidly occupied, the number of martyrs is growing, and the surviving people are forced to live in refugee and internally displaced lives. On the one hand, the expansion of the aggression policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan and the deepening of public dissatisfaction with the domineering powers in power, socio-economic recession, civil conflict, chaos and arbitrariness, as well as the lack of laws that meet the requirements of the new era, have an inexplicable desire to live in a democratic and legal state. He turned his back. [1, 26]
In 1993, when world renowned politician Heydar Aliyev came to power, Azerbaijan embarked on a new and modern development stage. As a result, Heydar Aliyev was remembered as the founder of modern Azerbaijan and nationwide leader. Heydar Aliyev skillfully uses the material resources of the Republic as well as his spiritual values for the sake of the country, worked diligently to increase the image of Azerbaijan and its international recognition. As a result of the effective and visionary policy pursued by Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan is beginning to cooperate with the world's leading companies in the field of energy trade. Thus, the Land of the Fire is exported to the world market of energy products of Azerbaijan and the country receives high profit.
The fact that the people of the world, which is a part of the world civilization, differs from the majority of the nations, is respectful of other cultures, adopts the idea of being a peacemaker, tolerant and solidarity, as well as acknowledging the propaganda of these ideas as a debt and responsibility to humanity for the sake of ensuring peace and prosperity. Having such a mentality, outlook and morality surely undoubtedly stems from the fact that the area we live in plays a role as a bridge between the East and the West both geographically and bridging our national and religious values. [11, 6]
The Republic of Azerbaijan is multinational and multi-ethnic. The country's national policy has been defined on the basis of the principles of cohesion and tolerance of different nationalities, ethnic groups and religious minorities. Geographical, natural and climatic conditions, flora and fauna and other material and moral characteristics of Azerbaijan have created the conditions for people to settle in these lands from ancient times. [8]
Multiculturalism and tolerance have historically been the lifestyle of Azerbaijanis, and today, regardless of their national identity, language, religion, has become a daily life of every citizen of the Azerbaijani state. The rich multicultural history of the Azerbaijani people lives not only in today's tolerant way of life of our people, but also in literary, artistic, philosophical, political and legal sources and documents created by us. [14]
After the country restored its independence, the great people of the people, Heydar Aliyev, came to power, and this feature became apparent in the state policy. In his speeches he expressed his position clearly and clearly. «Azerbaijan has always been a multinational country and today it is a multinational country. We consider it to be the advantage of our country. We have never intended to turn Azerbaijan into a supranational state. Therefore, people living in Azerbaijan have always been equal, regardless of their nationality. People living in Azerbaijan today are the citizens of our republic and have the same rights in our country». [3]
These words are extremely important today and update this clear political reality: we, that is, all the peoples living in Azerbaijan, can all be of interest to the world, just like Azerbaijan. [11, 6] Heydar Aliyev chose a precise ideological target for the future successful development of Azerbaijan and raised it to a qualitatively new stage by developing its centuries-old tradition of multiculturalism with its far-sighted, wise policy. This stage is a political stage. In fact, the great leader is the political founder of Azerbaijani multiculturalism. This is clearly reflected in the official decisions and construction of modern Azerbaijan. The most important thing in the state protection of Azerbaijan's multicultural traditions is the reflection of this issue in the legal documents, including the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the initiative and instruction of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Thus, the principle of tolerance, which forms the basis of multiculturalism policy, has been clearly defined in a number of articles of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this regard, it is possible to indicate «Right to Equality» (Article 25, Paragraph 3), «Right to Nationality» (Article 44, Paragraphs 1, 2), «Right to Use the Mother tongue» (Article 45, Paragraphs 1, 2) and other items. [6, 19]
In 2014, Baku International Multiculturalism Center was created to promote tolerance and protection of cultural, religious and linguistic diversity as well as to promote Azerbaijan as a multicultural center in the world and to explore and promote existing multicultural models. Appreciating multiculturalism as the state policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the lifestyle of our people, President Ilham Aliyev attaches great importance to cooperation with the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other influential international organizations. He has always pointed out the importance of joining conventions to protect the rights and freedoms of national minorities adopted by these organizations. As a result of this political line, it is possible to point out that our country was admitted to the UNESCO Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Forms by the law of Azerbaijan on November 26, 2009.
One of the most crucial decisions in the moral-political rise of Azerbaijan was the creation of the State Adviser for Inter-State, Multiculturalism and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan by Presidential Decree of 28 February 2014. Today, this service operates as an important body that fits in the relevant aspects of the ideological life of the country, and fills in certain gaps that are objective reasons. The great services of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation are undeniable in the work of the President Ilham Aliyev on transmitting the multiculturalism, tolerance and political value of the world to real scientific, cultural, social issues. One of the important aspects of multiculturalism in the well-thought, systematic activity of the Foundation is the strengthening of intercultural relations. «The Role of Women in the Intercultural Dialogue», «The Role of Cultures in Globalization», «Co-existence in a Multicultural World», «Azerbaijan — space of tolerance ". [11, 6]
President Ilham Aliyev, who considers multiculturalism as a state policy in Azerbaijan and also a lifestyle, has further expanded the work done in this area by declaring 2016 the Year of Multiculturalism. The Decree of 11 March 2016 to announce the Year of Multiculturalism in the Republic of Azerbaijan signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2016, as well as Approved Events on the Year of Multiculturalism in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2016 The State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan held more than 150 events within the framework of the «Year of Multiculturalism». This year, 22 regional conferences on «Multicultural and tolerant values: history, inheritance, modernity» covering almost all regions of the republic, 27 training workshops on «Religion in secular state: Azerbaijan model», «Religious communities in struggle against religious radicalism 25 seminars and consultations were held on «Organization of activities». Leaders of executive power and law enforcement agencies, youth, religious community leaders, imams and akyns, believers, theologians, intellectuals and community activists participated in these events. Meanwhile, the activities carried out within the framework of the Year of Multiculturalism cover religious and secular educational institutions of our republic, Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, religious communities, prisons, non-governmental organizations, compact areas of refugees and internally displaced persons. The Year of Multiculturalism was also remarkable in a number of international conferences and meetings. International events were organized in Baku, Gabala, as well as in Tabriz. Numerous meetings were held in the direction of promoting the traditions of multiculturalism in the international arena. Promotion of tolerant and multicultural traditions existing in our country, struggle against religious radicalism, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan's realities, etc. the Chairman of the State Committee on Issues, as well as responsible officers participated in events organized in Turkey, Sweden, Singapore, Germany, Spain and other countries.
At present, Azerbaijan has all the necessary conditions for the development and strengthening of multiculturalism traditions, and we are striving to promote our values. Based on all these factors, we can say that 2016 was remembered as one of the most productive years in the history of the country. [7]
Our country, which is governed by secular laws and consists of 96 % of its population, is regarded as an example in the world for its contributions to multicultural values and tolerance. The ethnic and cultural geography of Azerbaijan enables the world to contribute to the consolidation of peace and solidarity. Proof of our country's commitment to its multicultural values has now conveyed to the international community that diversity is in fact an indispensable treasure of humanity. [9]
It should be taken into account that Azerbaijan is a country where different religions, religions and beliefs live in different religions and religions, as well as various minorities. Nevertheless, the fact that we have not faced serious problems throughout the history of the religion is still based on the wisdom, peace, humanism and long-term leadership of our people. The history, culture, literature, art of our people are linked to the East East with indescribable wars, some mental features in our society, and socio-psychological facts derive from Islam. In such a situation, it is very natural for the independent state to focus on the Muslim world, which is the basis of the Islamic factor on the basis of centuries-old culture. [4, 5]
Islamic culture is an integral part of our national culture. The geographical position of our country plays an important role in the development and propagation of Islamic culture through Azerbaijani religious and non-religious scholars. Islam in the Caucasus is spread through Azerbaijan. It is no coincidence that one of the oldest two mosques in the Caucasus is the Juma mosque in the Shamakhi district of Azerbaijan. This mosque, which has been exposed to various natural disasters and Armenian atrocities, has been preserved by our people and has been renovated by the modern government of Azerbaijan and put into use by Muslims. This ancient mosque, reflecting the architectural style of the Middle Ages, contains the original signs of the essence of Islamic solidarity in Azerbaijan, indicating that Islam was as ancient as it was. Thus, under the same dome throughout the history of the Juma Mosque, the different sects and believers of Islam worshiped Allah in mutual respect and understanding. The Shamakhi Juma Mosque is perhaps one of the rare worship places in the world where the hollow place on the Qibla side of mosques and the faces of those who pray, is one, not three. It is a vivid example of the fact that throughout history, different sects and sects worship in close and tranquil conditions.
All this once again confirms that Azerbaijan is a Muslim country with a rich material and cultural heritage of Islamic culture. He, as in history, contributes to Islam today, and this is a peace-loving mission of higher education. It is not accidental that in the tricolor state flag, one of the official symbols of modern Azerbaijan, which re-established its independence after the 70-year occupation by the Council of Ministers of the Democratic People's Republic of Azerbaijan, declaring its independence in the early 20th century, blue color, modern color ideology, and he is just praising Islamism. [5, 14] In the words of Azerbaijani poet Jafar Jabbarli:
This blue dye, a Turkish stick from the Blue Mongols,
— Must be a Turkish son!
The green dye does not undermine the faith of Islam,
— Hearts must be filled!
It is the decree that freedom, the decree,
— Must find a culture! [2, 78]
The greatest success of the state-religion model applied in our country is that there is no tension in this field in Azerbaijan in today's interfaith and inter-sectarian confrontations. It is enough to say one fact. For centuries, representatives of the two great Shi'ite and Sunni denominations of the Islamic world have been practicing their worship differently and in different places. Although initiatives have repeatedly been united in solidarity, these initiatives have not been continuous. At a time when the issue of sectarianism in the Islamic world came to the fore — on January 15, 2016 at the Heydar mosque in Baku, the Muslims of the country came together for the first time, at one and the same time, unanimously. began to be applied in mosques. [11, 6]
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, in pursuance of paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in order to strengthen the position of Azerbaijan in the establishment of Islamic solidarity by the Decree of 10 January 2017, Solidarity Year ". [15]
As long as Muslims who have harmony and solidarity are not discriminated, other religions will also display only peace and respect. From this point of view, the declaration of 2017 as the Year of Islamic Solidarity in Azerbaijan will make our country a vanguard for this process. The «Islamic Solidarity» is not only the religion but also the support of Muslim countries in the socio-economic, political and cultural spheres, and demonstrates solidarity and is a consistent response to those who want to discriminate among them. The «Islamic Solidarity» summoned representatives of all world religions to unite, form mutual understanding and dialogue. It is a new challenge to the world on the initiative of Azerbaijan. And it is also the best ingredient against racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia in the modern world. [9]
President Ilham Aliyev's 2016 Year of Multiculturalism, as its logical continuation of the Year of 2016, proclaimed the year of the Islamic Solidarity as the year of the «year of the Islamic Solidarity» to the whole world: «Be tolerant of each other, It is the call of a dialogue between religions and sects. " [11, 6]
Islam is a religion of peace, peace, and solidarity.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. [Surah An-Nahl [16:90]
In the name of the Prophet of Islam:
المسلم من سلم المسلمون من لسانه و يده
«It is said that Muslims are not harmed by other Muslims in their hands and tongues».
Considering the importance of studying Islamic religion, Heydar Aliyev said that religious misconduct is inadmissible. «Our young people should learn, accept, and use our religion as it is. We can never allow individual individuals and separate forces to damage the education and morality of the Azerbaijani youth under the Islamic curtain. [10, 61]
According to Mubariz Gurbanli, chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, Mr President Ilham Aliyev's declaration of the Year of Islamic Solidarity for 2017 has a great socio-political, international and ideological significance. Each era has certain challenges. Each call should be adequately answered and decisions should be made accordingly. One of the different qualities of political figures and leaders is the fact that they make appropriate decisions in time ahead of such events. In the modern era, the Islamic world needs solidarity. It is of utmost importance to create solidarity and take such steps as to make such a call. [7]
The announcement by the contemporary Azerbaijani government of the Year of the Islamic Solidarity for the year 2017 is considered to be the next exemplary step that calls for solidarity for the sake of peace and security, regardless of religion or sect, with the humanistic principles of Islam. Although this decision is new in history, it is not alien to our national traditions, the general policy pursued by the state. The fact that the capital of Azerbaijan is the capital of Islamic culture in 2009 and Nakhchivan's capital of Islamic culture in 2018 is a clear proof of this.
The head of state called on the Islamic world to reach solidarity, mutual understanding and act on a number of topical issues. This initiative reflected the desire of Azerbaijan to strengthen relations and cooperation between Muslim countries and other countries around the world. It also demonstrated the strength of our country, its role in the Muslim world. President Ilham Aliyev always emphasizes that today the Islamic world needs more unity and solidarity. Therefore, announcing the Year of Islamic Solidarity in our country in 2017 aims to show that Islam is also a religion of peace and culture throughout the world. [18]
It is important to note the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the establishment of the «Fund of moral values» dated October 10, 2017 in the «Year of the Islamic Solidarity», while speaking about the protection of national-moral values and state care. This decree provides for the support of the existing religious confessions, the protection and development of moral values, as well as the strengthening of state support for this area: «The rich cultural and spiritual heritage, centuries-old tolerance traditions, model of model of state-religion relationships and the diversity of different civilizations Azerbaijan was historically a multi-confessional space. Ethnic and religious tolerance, considered as one of the democratic values in the modern world, has become a joint norm of the Azerbaijani society. At present, Azerbaijan is one of the exemplary countries in which there is an effective combination of Islamic culture, a tolerant environment, a radical view of public opinion and public control, not only in the South Caucasus, but also in the Middle East. " [16]
In the domestic and foreign policy of Azerbaijan, naturally, cultural and sport issues are also prioritized. Scientific, political, religious, social, etc. Azerbaijan continues to contribute to the culture and sports field, which hosts the republican, as well as international conferences, symposiums, forums and many other important events. In recent years, holding international competitions, including Eurovision Song Contest, «European (Sport) Games» and holding Formula One single-wheel drive cars in Azerbaijan for 5 years, the verdict of the decisions.
On July 24, 2013, at the VIII General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a decision was made to host the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017 in Azerbaijan. Representatives of 57 member countries participated in the vote and the decision was unanimously adopted. [17]
In antiquity, wars, clashes were suspended during the Olympic Games, people came together and played sports competitions. In this regard, we hope that the IV Islamic Solidarity Games in Azerbaijan have been a very successful step forward in inviting people to unity, peace, and cooperation. Islamic Solidarity serves other higher goals as well as sports. In the words of the President of the country, «If someone thinks that this is just a sporting event, it is wrong, it has great social and political significance». [4, 5]
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- C.Cabbarlı əsərləri, Müasir Azərbaycan Ədəbiyyatı, I cild, “Şərq-Qərb”, Bakı, 2005.
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