Conference `Islam and youth: education, science and enlightenment` starts in Baku

On March 1 International Conference `Islam and Youth: Education, Science and Enlightenment` was opened in Baku by organization of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Education Ministry, International Islam Charity Organization and Kuwait State Departments and Islam Affairs Ministry.

Education minister Misir Merdanov, secretary general of Islam Conference Organization (ICO) Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, deputy minister of Kuwait State Departments and Islam Affairs Adil al Filah noted goal of the conference is to discuss the role of the youth in Islam, science and education issues in Muslim countries, study the ways to divert the youth from discrimination, violence, terrorism and other negative acts. The speakers expressed certainty that the conference will contribute to development of the dialog among the cultures.

National policy affairs state advisor Hidayat Orujov gave the greetings of President Ilham Aliyev to the participants, wished success to the conference. He underlined the tolerance is in high level in the country, people of different religions live in peace.

H.Orujov said as our national leader Heydar Aliyev mentioned in his speech delivered in the symposium `Islam civilization in Caucasus` held in Baku on December 9-11, 1998 despite majority of population is Muslim there is big respect in Azerbaijan to other religions, nations. There is not any negative attitude here to other religions, tolerance is in high level. Religion was banned during the soviet regime lasted for 70 years, atheism, sharp fight against religion was agitated. Despite all these, our people did not lose its religion, implemented religious ceremonies secretly. Great leader Heydar Aliyev said regarding this at the symposium `Islam civilization in Caucasus`: `…Even if communist ideology would have lasted in Azerbaijan not for 70 but 170 years it would not be possible to separate people from Islam religion`.

ICO secretary general E.Ihsanoglu said half of a billion of youth around the world are Muslims, underlined the necessity for their education and training.

Chairman of the education commission of Great National Assembly of Turkey Teyyar Altingulaj talked of respect of Heydar Aliyev to Islam, his contributions to protection of Islam values, highly valued the great role of Azerbaijani youth in development of society.

At the event deputy minister of youth and sport Intigam Babayev, chief of humanitarian problems, democratization and human rights department of Foreign Ministry Alimirzamin Asgerov, deputy chairman of Caucasian Muslims Department Salman Musayev, professor of Baku State University Vasim Mammadaliyev talked of the importance of the conference.

After the break lectures on `Compromise in Islam`, `Religious education and new look on training of religious figures`, `Education of the youth with religious-political values in fight against terrorism`, `Globalization and Muslim youth` were listened, detailed exchange of views held.

The conference in which were present head of the foreign relations department of the Presidential Office Novruz Mammadov, reps of state agencies, religious organizations from 20 countries, scholars, ambassadors of Islam countries to Baku will be continued on March 2.