Quotations: Heydar Aliyev


Azerbaijani people, having centuries-old history and rich spiritual and material heritage, have been a part of Islamic world as early as the 7th century AD. Azerbaijan located in an important geopolitical space between Europe and Asia, Caucasia and the Middle East, has always been in the center of attention of many states and played the role of a bridge among various civilizations.

From the speech at the OIC Summit in Casablanca
  • December 13, 1994

Historically, world religions have co-existed and respected each other in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani state is still loyal to its traditions. Freedom of conscience and freedom of faith are the spiritual wealth of our society.

From the congratulation of Orthodox Christians of the republic on the occasion of Easter
  • April 15, 1996

Azerbaijan is a historical native land and Fatherland of all world Azerbaijanis.

From the address to World Azerbaijanis on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity
  • December 28, 1996

Now the Azerbaijani people are a people that have great culture, science and knowledge, and the unity and synthesis of our national and spiritual values with values common to all mankind form the image of our people. For this reason, Azerbaijan is a national and, at the same time, a secular and civilized country.

From the speech at the meeting with members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey 
  • May 6, 1997

Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic state. Regardless of their ethnic affiliation; all people have always been assured freedom of faith, freedom of conscience and equal rights in our country.

From the speech at the meeting with the permanent representatives, ambassadors of the countries of the world accredited to the UN
  • July 29, 1997

The protection of human rights in our country is one of the main purposes of the Azerbaijani state, and political pluralism and freedom of the press, faith and conscience have been ensured. Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic state, and in our country all citizens have equal rights and live and work with equal rights, regardless of their race, religion and language.

From the speech at the meeting with the faculty and students at Georgetown University, representatives of the public, prominent political and public figures, diplomats
  • July 30, 1997

For many centuries, Azerbaijan has been a homeland and place of residence for Jews. Jews have been living in Azerbaijan together with Azerbaijanis in an atmosphere of friendship and kindness for centuries. Today the Jews are full citizens of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan is their homeland.

From the talk at the official reception in honor of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
  • August 29, 1997

Islam has made unparalleled moral contributions to the world civilization and culture. We, Muslims, are proud that our religion covers a large area of the Earth and has historically cultivated morality, also served development, peace and prosperity in the world.

From the speech at the International Conference and at the Assembly of the Caucasian Muslims held in Baku
  • September 30, 1998

We are part of the European continent, but at the same time we are between Europe and Asia and we form a synthesis of East and West and Europe and Asia in our country, in the history of our people, in our national culture, historical roots and mentality. For this reason, we understand our historical mission and have done the necessary work so far in order to fulfil it.

From the speech at the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
  • October 18, 1998

Azerbaijanism forms the basis of the national ideology of the Azerbaijani people. Statehood, national and spiritual values and universal values - all are the integral parts of the idea of Azerbaijanism.

From the speech at the solemn meeting dedicated to the sixth anniversary of "The New Azerbaijan Party (Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası)"
  • November 21, 1998

The unity and synthesis of universal, moral and spiritual values are the present and future of our national ideology.

From the speech at the solemn meeting dedicated to the sixth anniversary of "The New Azerbaijan Party (Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası)"
  • November 21, 1998

People should respect all other cultures, religions and spiritual values, regardless of their religious affiliation and culture, and should be tolerant of the customs and traditions of those religions which they may not like sometimes.

From the speech at the international symposium on the topic "Islamic civilization in the Caucasus" 
  • December 9, 1998

Among the peoples who live in and around the Caucasus and Central Asia and belong to the Islamic religion, Azerbaijan is the most advanced country that has enriched its culture with universal values, the spiritual values of Europe and European culture.

From the speech at the international symposium on the topic "Islamic civilization in the Caucasus" 
  • December 9, 1998

Without parting from their Eastern roots, the Azerbaijani people have created a rare culture based on the synthesis of Western civilization and have spread the progressive values of the West in the Caucasus, the Middle and Near East.

From the speech at the solemn ceremony dedicated to the acceptance of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe
  • January 25, 2001

The 21st century should be a century in which people live in more peaceful and secure conditions. In the 21st century, people should establish more sincere relations with each other. In the 21st century, people should not discriminate against other nations and countries that belong to another religion, because this is the requirement of civilization. In order to ensure this, every country, every organization and every citizen should make their own contribution.

From the speech at the opening ceremony of the 8th Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals Exhibition and Conference
  • June 5, 2001

What unites us all is the idea of Azerbaijanism.

From the speech at the I Congress of World Azerbaijanis
  • November 10, 2001

After Azerbaijan has gained its independence, the Azerbaijanism , as a leading idea, has become the primary idea for the Azerbaijanis living both in Azerbaijan and abroad. We should unite around this idea. The Azerbaijanism means maintenance of national belonging, maintenance of the national-spiritual values, and at the same time, their enrichment with synthesis, integration into common to all mankind values, as well as provision of development of each personality.

From the speech at the I Congress of World Azerbaijanis
  • November 10, 2001

Tolerance in regard to other religions, pacific co-existence are the noble features of Islam. It has always been practiced in the Caucasus and Azerbaijan. We can proudly say that there were no confrontations on religious basis in our region.

From the congratulation at the 11th Congress of the Caucasian Muslims
  • July 29, 2003