Azerbaijan’s relations with the Islamic world, along with its policy aimed at strengthening solidarity among Muslim nations and preserving their shared cultural heritage, represent a key direction of international cooperation. Meetings held by President Ilham Aliyev with the participation of the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) are also of particular importance for advancing this partnership.
Azerbaijan’s active participation within Islamic organizations, the expansion of political, humanitarian, and cultural ties with Muslim countries, and the special attention paid to safeguarding Islamic heritage bring the nation’s position in this direction to the forefront.
Humanitarian, educational, and cultural projects carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva also hold an important place in this process.
What initiatives characterize Azerbaijan’s growing role in the Islamic world, and in what directions could this cooperation develop in the future?
Speaking to Globalinfo.az, Member of Parliament Aydin Mirzazade stated that Azerbaijan’s relations with the OIC are very close and productive:
“Our country is part of the Islamic world and Islamic culture. Islam forms an important part of our historical traditions today. It is no coincidence that many aspects of Azerbaijan’s customs, traditions, and worldview align with those of Islamic nations.
Following the restoration of our state independence, Azerbaijan proved it was a part of this world by joining international organizations. After National Leader Heydar Aliyev came to power, extensive ties were established with the Islamic world. It was by no means accidental that the first embassies opened abroad were in Islamic countries. Azerbaijan built close economic relations with these states. President Ilham Aliyev has continued this successful course.
Following the establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, great importance was placed on advancing humanitarian ties with the Islamic world. The promotion of our culture in these nations gained momentum. At the same time, room was made for the recognition of their culture and history as well.
Aydin Mirzazade
First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as the Foundation’s Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva, have made cooperation with Islamic countries a central part of their activities. Periodic visits to Islamic states and promoting their culture in our country are of great importance.
Today, relations with these countries are expanding not only diplomatically and politically, but also across economic and military-technical fields. Recently, our country’s support for the candidacy of its foreign minister in the UN Secretary-General elections demonstrated once again how decisive and robust Azerbaijan’s steps alongside the Islamic world are.
Furthermore, the Azerbaijani state wage a resolute fight against Islamophobia across various international platforms. It has been repeatedly emphasized that Azerbaijan is a nation rooted in Islamic culture and outlook. Foreign experts have frequently stressed that Azerbaijan synthesizes European and Islamic culture, successfully combining Islamic culture with modern values. I believe this will continue in the future as well.”
Turan Rzayev
Globalinfo.az
Read also
