THE YEAR OF ISLAM

On 18 February, the capital of Azerbaijan will host a historical event - the opening of the year-long "Baku - the capital of Islamic culture - 2009". A decision to this effect was adopted following the fifth conference of culture ministers of ISESCO (Islamic Education, Science and Culture Organization) member states which was held in Tripoli on 21-23 November. The opening ceremony in Baku is expected to be attended by the Secretary-General of ISESCO, mayors of twin cities from around the world and important guests from Muslim countries. The presentation of an official website and a Baku City exhibition will be held at the museum centre on the same day. On 19 February, the book, "Old Baku" will be presented at the Axundov central state library. During the year, it is planned to hold a week of ISESCO culture days of Iran, Morocco and other Muslim states. In October 2009, Baku will host an international conference of culture ministers of Muslim countries. In all, it is planned to hold more than 100 national and international events in Azerbaijan within the framework of the year-long "Baku - the capital of Islamic culture - 2009".

It should be noted that from 2-3 December 2008, Baku hosted a conference of culture ministers of member states of the Council of Europe on the subject "Intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighbouring regions". The conference adopted the Baku declaration and laid the foundations for the "Baku process", which provides for the development of activities and cultural cooperation between member states and partner states in the sphere of intercultural dialogue. The sixth conference of culture ministers of Islamic countries will be held this year. Remaining loyal to its traditions, the Azerbaijani side is planning to invite a number of European states to the conference as part of the "Baku process". These events will serve to promote Azerbaijani culture and confirm the unique geographical position of Azerbaijan at the junction of different civilizations. Whereas, previously, the attitude of Islamic states towards Azerbaijan was unclear, both in terms of the spread of the Islamic religion in the country after the collapse of the USSR and in Baku's pro-Western orientation, today we don't have to apologize or prove that the East and the West can peacefully co-exist on one planet.

After gaining independence, Azerbaijan managed to restore its image as a Muslim country. Today our country has strong interstate relations with the whole Islamic world. It is an active member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and other Islamic organizations, which is why the decision to declare Baku the capital of Islamic culture in 2009 was no accident. Over the last few years, Azerbaijan - a country where Islamic traditions were destroyed and distorted by every possible means for 70 years - has built dozens of new mosques, restored shrines, founded dozens of religious communities and organizations and opened madrasas and other institutions of religious education. Today many Azerbaijanis have been sent to Islamic countries for religious education. Although Azerbaijan is a secular state, religion is becoming one of the most effective factors in Azerbaijani society. Many theologians believe that this is due to the fact that the Azerbaijani people never abandoned Islam. On the contrary, the people defended their religion at the most difficult stages of history and continued to fulfil its religious rituals, celebrating the Ramadan and Qurban holidays and going to the mosque in the mourning month of Muharram, albeit secretly.

At the same time, in the light of geopolitical processes in the whole of the Caucasus, we can say with confidence that Azerbaijan is today a leader. This is proven by the fact that the Department of Muslims of the Caucasus is based in Azerbaijan and the country is taking an active part in conferences and sessions of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. We should not forget, however, that apart from Islam, the Christian, Judaic and other religions also peacefully coexist in Azerbai-jan. The Azerbaijani people's tolerance of other peoples and religions has become a talking point.

At the same time, the disposition of forces in the world is in constant flux. In order to respond to the challenges of the current world order, Azerbaijan has been more frequently active as a place where a dialogue of cultures and civilizations can take place. Many countries support Azerbaijan within the framework of the idea of concord and regional interaction, which is boosted by globalization. In the context of these regional rapprochements, Azerbai-  jan acts as a bridge connecting the East and the West. While interacting with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Baku is also establishing a partnership with Europe within the framework of the New Neighbourhood programme. At the same time, Azerbaijan expects support from both in seeking a settlement of the Karabakh conflict. On the whole, the last three years of Azerbaijan's interaction with the OIC may be described as reaching a peak, experts maintain. For example, in 2005 and 2006, the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers updated three resolutions supporting Azerbaijan's national position on all aspects of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. From a political point of view, this entails the unconditional recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the recognition of Armenia as an aggressor and the demand for an immediate withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories. From a socio-economic point of view, it is the OIC resolution that identifies the volume of material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan by Armenian occupation and urges Armenia to compensate Azerbaijan for the damage. From a humanitarian point of view, this is the condemnation of Armenia's policy of destroying the national and Islamic legacy of the Azerbaijani people on Armenian territory and within the occupied territories. We can confidently say today that the OIC will continue supporting Azerbaijan's position at all authoritative forums, and the holding of the year-long "Baku - the capital of Islamic culture - 2009" will serve to strengthen mutual relations between our country and the Islamic world even further.