Egyptian magazine publishes article about Azerbaijan
An influential weekly Egyptian magazine "Al-Ahram Al-Arabi" has
published an article titled "Baku - sunny and tolerant city",
AzerTac state news agency reported.
According to the Azerbaijan embassy in Egypt, the author of the
article, deputy editor-in-chief of the Al-Ahram newspaper Suzy
Al-Gineydi, who took part in the first international forum "State
and religion: strengthening tolerance in a changing world" writes:
"Currently, Egypt which is experiencing a complex historical period
faces the need for a priority of the principle of tolerance and
preservation of national unity and salvation of the country from
division. We believe that in this sense, Azerbaijan is a worthy
example. In the 1990s, the Azerbaijani people successfully overcame
a difficult period when the country was facing the threat of
internal split. However, at that time Armenia occupied 20% of
Azerbaijani lands. The separatist regime of Armenia declared the
independence of Nagorno Karabakh region. However, this independence
is not recognized by any state. This region is an integral part of
Azerbaijan in line with the international law. Occupation of this
region by the armed forces of Armenia still continues. All the
same, Azerbaijan managed to remain an example of the religious and
national tolerance".
Describing her impressions on Baku, Al-Gineydi writes that
tolerance is reflected even on the facades of the city buildings.
The author notes that the wonderful architectural style of the
buildings constructed in Baku, their modern illumination, the
beauty of the roads and unique skyscrapers create an impression of
being in Paris or any other capital city of the world.
Stressing that Azerbaijan which is famous as a tolerant country
hosts different events of international concern, the author refers
to the opinion of the chairman of the State Committee for Work with
Religious Structures of Azerbaijan Elshad Isgandarov in Al-Ahram
Al-Arabi magazine: "Tolerance has become a rare finding in the
world. We think that it is more valuable than oil and gas. Fire
Temple was built for Indian traders in XVI century in Azerbaijan.
There are prayer houses for all religions in our country. The first
democratic republic in the East was established in Azerbaijan in
1918. The women gained equal rights and suffrage here in 1919. But,
Azerbaijan was occupied by Bolsheviks in 1920. Azerbaijan is a
model of secular country based on understanding of the Islam".
As for the Egyptian-Azerbaijani relations, Al-Gineydi notes that
these ties have ancient roots. The author of the article says
referring to the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Egypt Shahin
Abdullayev that cooperation between the two countries is based on
the investment projects in oil sector; however, economic problems
and security issues that emerged after the revolution in Egypt
hinder the implementation of these projects. The author notes that
cooperation has revived recently. She also expresses interest of
the Azerbaijani tourists for visiting Egypt.