Speaking at the event, which was attended by about 50 guests and featured a photo exhibition showing Azerbaijani multiculturalism, journalist Saadat Shukurova-Israilova, head of Kanal24, stressed that she never encountered manifestations of anti-Semitism in our country: “I would like to point out that Azerbaijan is the only Muslim country where Jews live comfortably and can walk the streets freely. Every ethnic community in Azerbaijan feels free and independent. Azerbaijanis are friendly, hospitable and humane people. Because the rights of ethnic minorities are protected in Azerbaijan, they can protect their language, culture and religion.”
Dana Barnett, Director of Israel Academia Monitor, said in her speech that the history of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism goes back to 1918, when the first democratic state in the Muslim world, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, was founded: “This republic was committed from the beginning to secularism and advocated an inclusive approach to the idea of the nation. This is called Azerbaijanism. Although the republic became part of the Soviet Union, the Azerbaijani people were able to return to their roots after regaining independence in the 1990s.” Dana Barnett pointed out that under President Ilham Aliyev, the expression “multiculturalism” was included in the Azerbaijani experience. She informed the participants of the event that she promotes the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism as an antidote to the anti-Semitism faced by many Jews around the world.
Rachel Avraham, political commentator and journalist, founder and CEO of the Dona Gracia Diplomatic Center, told the participants about the Khojaly genocide and drew parallels between the historical injustices suffered by the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples.
