Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade thanked President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the recognition he had received.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, he made the remarks on September 15 during President Ilham Aliyev's reception of a delegation comprising Organization of Turkic States Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev, members and observers of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States, co-organizers of the Yahya Bakuvi International Conference, and members of the Supreme Religious Council of the Peoples of the Caucasus.
Allahshukur Pashazade said Azerbaijan was flourishing and reaching new heights in the world under Ilham Aliyev's leadership:
"Under your leadership, the complete restoration of our sovereignty and territorial integrity has been a great gift for us. We had seen it only in our dreams and imagined it. But, praise be to God, I was granted the opportunity to witness it in my lifetime. Some people said it was impossible and that they did not believe in it. But, praise be to God, under your leadership and through your policy, your domestic and foreign policies, and the unity of the people, we achieved victory and triumph."
The Sheikhulislam also said that the head of state had entrusted him with even greater responsibilities:
"In response to the recognition you have given me, I will do everything in my power throughout my life to promote and convey throughout the world relations and brotherhood between the Islamic world and religions, as well as Azerbaijan's Islamic solidarity and tolerance."
The meeting highlighted Azerbaijan's emphasis on interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance and cooperation among Muslim religious institutions. The Organization of Turkic States brings together Turkic-speaking countries to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.
