Due to the fact that this year was announced as the 'Year of Multiculturalism'  in Azerbaijan  and in order to introduce Azerbaijan model on  relationship with various  religions, peaceful coexistence and tolerance the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO), Azerbaijani embassy in Great Britain and "Faith Matters" organization, Great Britain,  held series of events in London.

AZERTAJ made an interview with academician Kamal Abdulla, State Adviser on Multinational, Multicultural and Religious Affairs about those events and about his impressions:

- This time Great Britain was chosen as a new address for introduction of the present state of Azerbaijan multiculturalism, and its peculiarities as a part of world community.  Was there a special reason for it?

Demonstration of the Azerbaijani model of religious tolerance in Europe under the Year of Multiculturalism becomes a tradition. Such meetings with the heads and representatives of religious confessions in Azerbaijan were previously conducted in Sweden and Germany. United Kingdom is particularly significant for us in this respect. On the one hand, the Government of this country does not adequately perceived the multicultural atmosphere at place, the Prime Minister declares the failure of multiculturalism in the UK. On the other hand, recently the Mayor of London has been elected representative of another faith and nationality.

To which pole religious tolerance does the British society tend? Is this society open enough, and is it ready to accept the Azerbaijani values adequately? We are ready to share our multicultural values that have been formed for centuries in Azerbaijan. By declaring multiculturalism as a state policy vector in Azerbaijan, in fact President Ilham Aliyev sent a valuable message to the most peaceful international community and the governments as well.  Are they willing to listen to us and accept us? Do the influential circles of the world, in particular, the United Kingdom accept the realities of Azerbaijan, understand and deal adequately with a fair solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? Answers to these questions didn't take long to manifest themselves. Representatives of well-known spiritual and intellectual circles of the world have already expressed willingness to learn and to discuss the issue. Various visits, including the London visit once again confirm the great interest towards the state of the multiculturalism in Azerbaijan.

- How do you evaluate the importance and perspectives of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism as the mean serving peace and stability in the world?

The Azerbaijani President points out that multiculturalism has been a value inherent to Azerbaijani people for centuries. We have preserved this value. But we have preserved it not for Azerbaijanis only. See, today Azerbaijan restores and revives its cultural and historical monuments (especially religious monuments). In this regard, great merit of our National leader and President Ilham Aliyev is irreplaceable. When representatives of different religious confessions after our meetings in detail talk about what they had heard to religious and scientific leaders, diplomats and members of parliament, the impact was truly magnificent. Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its president, esteemed Mehriban Khanum Aiyeva implement large-scale cultural projects. Today, Azerbaijan is implementing real multicultural projects in France, Italy, Pakistan and Russia. Thus, this is the multicultural policy of Azerbaijan that expands over the world. These are extremely important political and ideological perspectives for the future.