President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the Orthodox Christian community of Azerbaijan.

Tehsil.biz reports that the congratulatory letter reads:

“Dear compatriots!

I sincerely congratulate the entire Christian community of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the blessed birthday of Jesus Christ - Christmas, and convey my sincere wishes and wishes to each of you.

For thousands of years, members of different nations and religions have lived in Azerbaijan in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, peace and tranquility. Preservation and further development of ethnic and cultural diversity, religious and spiritual heritage and multicultural values ​​in our society, which has centuries-old traditions of tolerance, is one of the main goals of our state policy. Today, our country is rightly recognized in the world as a place of interfaith and intercultural dialogue.

Located at the crossroads of civilizations, Azerbaijan is a homeland for everyone, regardless of language, religion or ethnicity. I want to emphasize with satisfaction that the representatives of different nations and religions living in our country, including our Orthodox compatriots, are closely involved in all spheres of socio-political life and fulfill their civic duty.

Dear friends!

Christmas is celebrated in our country every year as a symbol of innovation, peace, compassion and mercy among people. I once again extend my sincere congratulations to all of you on this sacred holiday and wish happiness to your families and abundance to your tables.

Happy holiday! ”