The Valley Outreach Synagogue, one of the most influential Jewish synagogues in Los Angeles, hosted a presentation on Azerbaijan. Attended by over 500 members of the Synagogue, the event featured Nasimi Aghayev, Azerbaijan`s Consul General in Los Angeles.

Opening the event, the Synagogue`s Spritual Leader Rabbi Ron Li-Paz noted that during the turbulent times of religious intolerance and violence in various parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, Azerbaijan stands out as a beacon of tolerance, interfaith harmony and secularism. He called Azerbaijan "a ray of hope in the darkness" and an exemplary model of religious tolerance and acceptance.

In his remarks, Consul General Aghayev informed the audience about important milestones of Azerbaijan`s history, as well as its steady development and modernization as an independent nation since the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also mentioned that the Azerbaijani people established in 1918 the first secular parliamentary republic in the Muslim world, and that the ethnic and religous tolerance was one of the guiding principles of this Republic. Consul General Aghayev stated that thanks to tireless efforts by Azerbaijan`s leadership, today all religious communities in Azerbaijan enjoy strong interfaith harmony and acceptance, and Muslims, Christians, Jews and other communities live together in peace, dignity and mutual respect in the country.

Nasimi Aghayev also informed the event attendees about the illegal military occupation and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan`s lands by Armenia.

Noting the vast oil and natural gas resources of Azerbaijan, Consul General Aghayev highlighted the country`s important contributions to the energy independence and diversification in Europe. Also Azerbaijan`s strategic relations with both the United States and Israel were discussed at the event.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which Nasimi Aghayev responded to various questions from the audience.

Yusif Babanlı
Special Correspondent, AZERTAC

Washington