An Azerbaijani delegation led by Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, attended an Iftar ceremony held in Brussels, Belgium.

The Iftar ceremony was arranged in honor of the participants of the event held within the framework of the “2025 Year of the Islamic World” initiative under the patronage of His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians, in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, and the Caucasus Muslims Office and the European Development and Research Academy (EDARA).

The “2025 Year of the Islamic World” initiative aims to promote peaceful coexistence and highlight the rich history and diverse culture, as well as the significant contributions of the Islamic world to contemporary society.

Azerbaijani MPs Javanshir Pashazade and Gudrat Hasanguliyev, leaders of religious confessions in Azerbaijan - Milikh Yevdayev, Head of Religious Community of Mountain Jews, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Head of the Catholic community in Azerbaijan, Apostolic Prefect of the Roman Catholic Church, Robert Mobili, Chairman of the Alban-Udi Christian Religious Community, Laytouss Brahim, President of EDARA, and Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), participated in the event.

Addressing the event, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, conveyed the greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the best wishes of the Azerbaijani people to those attending the Iftar ceremony to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said that hosting an Iftar party in Brussels at the initiative of His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians, which is of special importance for Muslims around the world, represents a clear manifestation of high culture, and a valuable and worthy contribution to strengthening the links between cultures and civilizations in the world.

"This should be commended as an exemplary step for all world leaders and European political leaders. The declaration of 2025 as the "Year of the Islamic World" in Belgium and Europe marks an important historical event. In this regard, I wish to express my deep gratitude to His Majesty the King and the people of Belgium on behalf of the Islamic world," the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office mentioned.

Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade described the arrangement of such a prestigious event, held within the framework of the "2025 Year of the Islamic World” in Belgium and Europe, as an important political support for promoting dialogue between civilizations.

Emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijan's model of multiculturalism, peaceful coexistence and tolerance, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said: "Azerbaijan, an integral part of the Islamic world, distinguished by its respect for universal values, along with its traditional national and religious values, attaches great importance to its relations with Europe and with the European Union.

Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade also highlighted the large-scale reconstruction and restoration works carried out in the liberated areas of Azerbaijan. The Chairman drew attention to the restoration of temples of all religions, adding that today, the Azerbaijani state, as part of its reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories, is restoring and rebuilding temples of all religions that have been subjected to vandalism, along with the destroyed cities and villages. Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade invited the participants to visit the liberated territories of Azerbaijan and get acquainted with the reconstruction and restoration work currently underway there.

Concluding his remarks, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade expressed deep appreciation to His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians, for his patronage of efforts serving human brotherhood and solidarity in Europe and the world, as well as for hosting the Iftar ceremony, and thanked him on behalf of the Azerbaijani believers and the Islamic world.