Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan is among the top five tolerant countries in the world according to the Venividi.ru website's rating.

The list was prepared to mark the International Day of Tolerance (November 16).

"Azerbaijan, which is ahead of not only Asian, but most European countries by the level of tolerance, can be considered as an example of religious tolerance. The country, in which Muslims account for 95 percent of the population, was able to secure a peaceful and comfortable accommodation for people of other faiths and nationalities and earned praise from the vice-president of the European Parliament," the report said.

According to the website, today model of tolerance in Azerbaijan is considered a model for the Muslim world and is actively being discussed at many international conferences and forums.

"The country's leadership thinks: the people, no matter of their religion, are obliged to respect all other cultures, religions, and moral values. The people are also obliged to be tolerant in regards to all traditions, whether they are acceptable to them or not," said the report.

Canada, Sweden, Argentina and Australia are also on top of the list.

Azerbaijan was historically known as a country of tolerance. Respect for multiculturalism, ethnic and religious minorities is a national characteristic of the Azerbaijani people. Major international events conducted by Azerbaijan, as well as at the initiative of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva in recent years have turned Azerbaijan into a recognized international center of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.