Russian official presents medal to Azerbaijan's spiritual leader

Mon 23 November 2009 16:52 GMT | 21:52 Local Time

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Allahshukur Pashazade

The head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Sergey Naryshkin, presented a medal of honour to the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Department, Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, in Baku on Monday.

The Sheikh ul-Islam talked about the development of mutual relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. “Russian President Dmitry Medvedev phoned me and congratulated me on my 60th birthday. I also thanked the Russian leader for the honour of his consideration."

Pashazade said he enjoyed good relations with the Orthodox Church in Azerbaijan. “We want peace in the Caucasus, but there are some forces that create conflicts in the Caucasus and don’t allow the establishment of peace. Azerbaijan, as a tolerant country, wants peace.”

Haji Allahshukur Pashazade said Baku would host a major conference of representatives of all religions on 26 April 2010. "Sergey Naryshkin presented me with the medal and expressed his best wishes to the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Department," Pashazade said.

APA