Remarks By H.E. Nassir Abdelaziz Al-Nasser High Representative For The United Nations Alliance Of Civilizations On The Occasion Of The Symposium Scientifique “Seyid Yahya Bakuvi: Expression De La Tolerance”
Tuesday 22 October 2013
UNESCO Paris
Excellency,
Minister Elshad Iskandarov,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is real pleasure and honor to address you on the occasion of this Symposium Scientific to celebrate the life of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. It is indeed a great opportunity for our 3 organizations present here and united, to show our common goal to foster peaceful relationships between Islamic and Western civilizations.
UNESCO, the State Committee for Work With Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SCWRA) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) have similar goals: to develop and maintain peaceful relationships between people regardless of religious and cultural background.
UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.
SCWRA builds interfaith dialogue ensuring freedom of religion in Azerbaijan. I understand that since its inception, 425 religious communities have been registered.
UNAOC offers a new perspective of peace for security and development while respecting cultural diversity and religions.
By declaring 2013, as the Year of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi UNESCO acknowledged the contribution of Sufism and Seyid Yahya Bakuvi in bridging differences among people and civilizations.
Sufism has gathered followers throughout Islam by showing the importance of learning and teaching regardless of religious inclination.
Throughput the centuries, Sufism produced a flourishing intellectual culture rooted in tolerance, respect, understanding, continuous study and service to the needy members of the community.
It spread all across the Muslim world and remains a vibrant source of Islamic studies today.
The life of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi illustrates the values of learning and teaching. Seyid Yahya Bakuvi was not just a learned religious figure but also a philosopher, a mathematician and an astronomer. He was an intellectual equipped with knowledge and insight and a deep desire to bring people closer.
At my turn, let me assure you of my full encouragement in the path of tolerance as it aims at building peace in the hearts of future generations.
I wish you a great symposium.