To the Orthodox Christian community of Azerbaijan

05 January 2012, 18:15

Dear fellow countrymen!

I would like to heartily congratulate the entire Christian community of Azerbaijan on the sacred holiday of Christmas and convey my best wishes to all of you on this bright day.

In Azerbaijan, a country known worldwide as a model of tolerance and a venue of dialogue between civilizations and cultures, religions and beliefs have historically existed in the conditions of peace, mutual respect and trust. Individual nations and ethnic communities representing different cultures have demonstrated common love for the Motherland, unbreakable unity and solidarity around the ideology of Azerbaijanism.

The preservation of the ethnic and cultural diversity, the support and promotion of multiculturalism in our society at the present stage are a priority of our public policy. I want to say with a sense of satisfaction that the Christian community, which holds a place and plays a role in Azerbaijan’s rich ethnic and cultural palette, including our compatriots of the Orthodox religion, is directly involved in the creative work under way in our country with a truly civil aspiration.

Dear friends!

The Nativity of Christ represents renewal, peace and the triumph of mercy and compassion.

Let this bright holiday bring happiness and abundance to your families and welfare to your lives.

Happy Holidays!

Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku city, 5 January 2012