On September 11, a ceremony was held at the Mountain Jews’ Synagogue in Baku to mark Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which has been celebrated by the Jewish people since ancient times.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Ramin Mammadov highlighted the congratulatory message addressed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev to the country’s Jewish community on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah. He noted that this attention is a manifestation of the state’s care for the Jewish community and its high appreciation of religious diversity in Azerbaijan.
The Chairman of the Committee noted that the Jewish community, which has lived in Azerbaijan for centuries, has made significant contributions to the welfare of the Azerbaijani people and the development of the country, and has actively participated in the process of restoring Azerbaijan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized the important role of the Jewish community in preserving and passing on to future generations the traditions of respect, peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Azerbaijan Ronen Krausz expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani state for creating conditions that enable the Jewish community to live in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and brotherhood, and to freely celebrate its religious and national holidays. He noted that the Jewish community is an integral part of Azerbaijani society and that the tolerant and multicultural environment prevailing in the country enables the community to freely preserve and uphold its religious and cultural values. The Ambassador also noted the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel and stated that efforts to further develop bilateral ties would continue.
Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anatoly Rafailov described the freedom of representatives of different religious confessions to observe their religious rituals and holidays, while respecting each other’s values, as an indicator of the healthy spiritual environment in the country. He stressed the importance of preserving solidarity among religious communities for the stability and unity of society.
Member of the Milli Majlis Alibala Maharramzade noted that the active contribution of different communities to public life while preserving their national and cultural heritage is in harmony with Azerbaijan’s centuries-old traditions of statehood.
Chairman of the Baku Religious Community of Mountain Jews Milikh Yevdayev noted the great importance of the conditions created in Azerbaijan for the Jewish community to preserve its traditions and pass them on to future generations.
Representative of the Baku and Azerbaijan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Konstantin Pominov stated that the attention and care shown to all religious communities in the country contribute to strengthening unity and solidarity in society. He emphasized the great value of the traditions of tolerance established in Azerbaijan.
As part of the ceremony, a religious ritual was performed, with wishes of peace, tranquility and prosperity extended to all peoples and nations.
