Sinai Temple of Los Angeles hosts an event dedicated to Azerbaijan’s multi-faith harmony

An event dedicated to Azerbaijan’s traditions of multiculturalism and multi-faith harmony and tolerance was held at the Sinai Temple, which is one of the largest and most influential synagogues not only in Los Angeles, but also in the entire U.S., on May 14, 2018, as part of the California visit of a delegation of Azerbaijan’s faith and community leaders, led by Mubariz Gurbanli, the Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations (SCWRO) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Jointly organized by the Sinai Temple, the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles and the American Jewish Committee’s Los Angeles Office, the event was attended by around 300 guests, including Consuls General of foreign countries, elected officials, representatives of different ethnic and religious communities, faith leaders, journalists and others.

The event opened with an impressive performance of national anthems of Azerbaijan, U.S. and Israel by Sinai Temple’s cantor Lisa Peicott.

Following the performance, Rabbi Erez Sherman of the Sinai Temple welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of this multi-faith event. He mentioned the 2015 trip of 45 members of the Temple to Azerbaijan, noting that the journey offered the opportunity to learn more about Azerbaijan’s model of interreligious tolerance and harmony up-close.

Speaking afterwards, Scott Edelman, the President of the American Jewish Committee-Los Angeles, highlighted the strong and exemplary relationship and cooperation AJC established with Azerbaijan since many years. Recalling his travel to Azerbaijan as part of the annual AJC delegation, Edelman praised what he and other members of the delegation experienced during the visit, especially in terms of mutual respect among religious communities that continue to live together in peace and harmony. AJC-LA President expressed their satisfaction of co-hosting this important event highlighting in the case of Azerbaijan the possibility of interreligious acceptance, respect and mutual embrace.

In his speech, the Chairman of the SCWRO Mubariz Gurbanli stated that the tolerance in Azerbaijan has very solid foundations, rich traditions and deep historical and cultural roots. He also mentioned that there has always been strong relationship between ethnic and religious communities in the country and ethnic, religious or racial discrimination has been non-existent. Stating that 809, including 31 non-Islamic religious communities have been registered in Azerbaijan, Gurbanli said that people belonging to all religions live in a mutual understanding and peace in the country.

Speaking afterwards, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev expressed his gratitude to the Sinai Temple and the AJC-LA for partnering with the Consulate General in arranging this wonderful event showcasing Azerbaijan’s long-standing traditions of tolerance, inclusion and multiculturalism and the centuries-long peaceful co-existence of all peoples and religions in Azerbaijan.

Fuad Nurullayev, Deputy Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims' Office, Deputy to Sheikh-ul-Islam of the Caucasus; Milikh Yevdayev, President of the Religious Community of the Mountain Jews of Baku; Aleksandr Sharovskiy, President of the Religious Community of European Jews of Baku; Robert Mobili, President of the Albanian-Udi Christian Religious Community of Azerbaijan; and Elnur Afandiyev, the Archpriest of the Baku Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church highlighted the ancient traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan noting that these traditions have already been elevated to the level of state policy in the country. In their remarks, they stated that people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, Jews and representatives of other faiths have been living together in peace, brotherhood and mutual respect for many centuries in Azerbaijan.

Following the panel discussion, a short film on Azerbaijan's multiculturalism was screened. Afterwards, American pianist Jason Abrams performed Azerbaijani music, which was received with applauses by the audience.

A photo exhibition reflecting the traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan was also presented to the attendees.

A short video of the event can be watched here: https://youtu.be/jcg1VW8BykY

A video of Sinai Temple cantor’s performance of Azerbaijani anthem can be watched here: https://youtu.be/YeBmn1ggSl