Political appeals of leaders of religious confessions in Azerbaijan

A meeting of leaders and representatives of various religious confessions of Azerbaijan - Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish, dedicated to the presidential elections, took place on September 19, in the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO.)

The presenters of more than 20 speeches clearly supported the candidacy of current President Ilham Aliyev.  The meeting resulted in the adoption of an appeal to the faithful to support the candidacy of the current president.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Scientific and Religious Council of the Caucasus Muslims, Vasim  Mammadaliyev, said that there is no alternative to Ilham Aliyev, and it is proved by the fact that the country's budget is 20 billion manat, while foreign currency reserves are estimated at 50 billion manat. "Ilham Aliyev does not need a plenipotentiary representative in the election, those are his deeds," said Mammadaliyev.

The head of the Caucasus Muslims, Allahshukur Pashazade, said that there is freedom of religion in Azerbaijan. If, during the Soviet regime, there were 17 mosques, now their number has exceeded two thousand. He noted that many mosques have been restored by the orders of President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of the Baku and Caspian Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Father Alexander, said that the Religious Center of the Orthodox Church will open in the near future; it was also built by the order of President Ilham Aliyev. Father Alexander finds it necessary to support Ilham Aliyev.

The speech of Hajiaga Nuri, the elder of the Nardaran village, was quite different. He asked that Pashazade ask Ilham Aliyev to alleviate the situation of imprisoned believers, and to open a madrasah in the country. -05C04-