The 12th session of the General Conference of Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) took place in Baku yesterday. In recent years the organization has evolved into an important international organization in the world. Its main task is the development of science and education in the Islamic world, preserving its rich cultural heritage. In 2009, with the support of ISESCO, Baku was declared a capital of Islamic culture. And in 2018 the honorary title was awarded to another ancient city – Nakhchivan. In the near future Baku will create a regional center of ISESCO, called upon to play a role in deepening humanitarian cooperation and strengthening Islamic solidarity not only in the region but throughout the Islamic world.
According to the general director of ISESCO, Abdulaziz Al-Tueydzhri Ocman: "The current event was held thanks to the support of President Ilham Aliyev. We are grateful to him. Azerbaijan has sent its message to all civilizations. This action means strengthening of our cooperation with all the member states of the organization."
Meanwhile, according to Ilham Aliyev, ISESCO constantly openly supports Azerbaijan's position, in particular, on the issue of settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: "Mr. Altwaijri expressed his unequivocal position on this issue in numerous speeches. For this we are grateful to ISESCO, grateful to the Muslim world ... the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has remained unresolved for many years. For many years Azerbaijan has suffered from Armenian occupation. 20% of our internationally recognized territory is under Armenian occupation. As a result of this occupation, over a million Azerbaijanis have become refugees and displaced persons in their homeland. The Armenians have conducted a policy of ethnic cleansing against our people. The Armenians committed the Khojaly genocide. Today, more than 10 countries have recognized the Khojaly tragedy as genocide. Armenia violates all the norms of international law. There are four UN Security Council resolutions on the conflict, which require the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani lands. For over twenty years, Armenia has ignored these resolutions."
Similar decisions and resolutions were taken by other international organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. ‘’Historic justice is also on our side, as Nagorno-Karabakh is a native Azerbaijani land. The Azerbaijani people have lived for centuries on these lands. The word ‘Karabakh’ is of Azerbaijani origin. Therefore, both history and international law support the position of our country, and this conflict can find a solution based only on the principles of territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders," Aliyev said.
The OSCE twice sent missions to the occupied territories. The missions’ reports say that cities, villages, historical and religious monuments and ten mosques were destroyed on the occupied land. "This is barbaric. It is terrorism against Islamic culture. In the early 1990s Armenian terrorist organizations committed more than 30 terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan, killing more than 2000 innocent people. We have repeatedly stated that terrorism has neither nationality nor religion," Ilham Aliyev said.
Recently, some Western circles and representatives of the media have been trying to link Islam with terrorism, but, in the words of the President of Azerbaijan, "Islam is a religion of peace, mercy and friendship. We are working actively in Azerbaijan to introduce a world with the Islamic values. Azerbaijan has played an active role in the organization of the Islamic section in the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre, by making a financial contribution. Azerbaijan is the first country in the Muslim world that demonstrated its exhibition at the Vatican. We are in open struggle against Islamophobia. This is a big threat, a great injustice. This may result in future conflicts between civilizations. That is why we are promoting Islamic culture both at home and abroad. "
Azerbaijan regularly organizes exhibitions, presentations and cultural programs in the developed world, as well as contributing to the development of inter-religious and inter-ethnic relations. Baku has repeatedly hosted the International Humanitarian Forum. The Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has been held in Azerbaijan three times. The summit of the leaders of the world religions was held there. Next year there will be the Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
The International Centre for multiculturalism has recently been established in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a center of multiculturalism, where there has never been, and certainly will be no confrontations on ethnic or religious grounds. In Baku the alternative to multiculturalism is considered discrimination, Islamophobia and xenophobia. If during the Soviet period in Azerbaijan there were only 17 mosques, today there are more than two thousand. One of the oldest mosques in the world is the Shamakhi mosque, built in 743, it has been renovated recently. The spheres in which ISESCO is involved are developing successfully in Azerbaijan. As I mentioned, we have a very rich historical heritage, an ancient culture. All our cultural monuments are protected by the state. Much attention is paid to education. Literacy in Azerbaijan has reached nearly 100 percent. Much attention is paid to the development of science. Substantial work is carried out for the development of science, funds have been allocated. The Science Development Fund was created. Azerbaijan develops new technologies. A few years ago Azerbaijan became a member of the not very large world space club. Azerbaijan is rapidly developing its space industry. Because the future of any country depends on the level of science and education, and in the future it will depend even more so as the development of countries is due mainly to new technologies, innovation, development of science and education. We pay great attention to this area. I believe that the experience gained by Azerbaijan may be interesting for some countries. This year the European Games were held in Baku, and in 2017 the Islamic Solidarity Games will be held in Baku. These two events clearly show what positions Azerbaijan occupies.
