Yesterday a Prayer for Unity took place in the Baku Heydar Mosque in the ongoing ‘Year of Multiculturalism’ in Azerbaijan, which was attended by Muslims representing the variety of the Islam groups.
In this regard, one of the most influential religious leaders of the republic, the plenipotentiary representative of the Office of Caucasus Muslims, Shahin Hasanli, expressed confidence that the event could make a great contribution to the strengthening of a tolerant environment between the followers of different religions and denominations in the South Caucasus country, as well as worldwide.
‘’On this prayer call the Prayer for Unity, for the first time in the world all Muslims, no matter which branch of Islam they claim to belong to, gathered together at one time, in one place, made prayers to God. So far, the representatives of the Sunni and Shiite wings pray in different ways and in different places. And now they come together, to pray together. Thus, they set an example of unity," Sputnik Azerbaijan quotes him as saying.
Hasanli complained that we are currently witnessing numerous conflicts on religious grounds. "In different countries, religion is becoming a tool for creating political confrontations. Representatives of radical movements, acting on behalf of different faiths and religions, are provoking wars in which tens of thousands of people are suffering. Interconfessional conflicts often lead to civil war," the religious figure noted bitterly.
According to him, "in these conditions the Prayer for Unity in the Heydar Mosque is a message of brotherhood and unity of all Muslims, not only in the country but in the world."
Hasanli said that Azerbaijan is famous for its tradition of tolerance. "But at the same time, in Azerbaijan the attitude towards people of other religions and cultures has been higher than tolerance. It has been at the level of brotherhood,’’ the CMO envoy recalled.
He noted that the Prayer for Unity is a challenge addressed to the Muslims of neighboring countries – Russia, Iran and Turkey. "Next to our country – in Russia, Iran and Turkey – there are representatives of various faiths of Islam. The prayer performed by us is also a call addressed to them. Together we can show the world a real example of tolerance and fraternity,’’ Shahin Hasanli summed up.
