On the occasion of the designation of Baku as the capital of Islamic culture

Delivered by assistant secretary general ambassador Atta Manane Bakhit

Baku: 18-19 February 2009


H.E. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
H.E. First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan
H.E. Minister of Culture and Tourism
H.E. Director General of ISESCO
Honorable Delegates,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentleman,


It is a great pleasure for me to address this august assembly on the on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the declaration of the city of Baku as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the year 2009. It is indeed gratifying for me to observe the ceremony to be held as Baku rightfully merits becoming the capital city of Islamic Culture. Baku is a city which symbolizes all the richness and diversity of the unique cultural legacy which was left to us by prominent and distinguished sons and daughters of this land. Baku is a historical city which has long been revered as the breeding ground of rich Islamic Civilization. Today we recognise and pay tribute to the Azerbaijani contribution to our common history, common past and less but not least we also indentify our common future.
It is significant that the selection of Baku as the capital of Islamic Culture for this year coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in 1969.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the outstanding leader and visionary guide, H. E. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for his patronage of this event and for being with us here today. Your presence Mr. President here is a testimony of your keen interest to such initiatives aimed at highlighting the value and richness of Islamic Culture and Civilisation in the world, which would certainly contribute to intercultural interaction and dialogue worldwide.
My similar appreciation goes to Minister of Culture and Tourism for his invaluable efforts to make this ceremony a success and also for his kind invitation extended to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
Azerbaijan has been increasingly played an important and significant role in the Muslim World with its history and tradition of upholding the Islamic Culture for long. For centuries Islam has been flourishing in this country in peace and harmony successfully coexisting even kindly hosting other faiths and beliefs.

The acumen, the wise leadership and the talented and hardworking people of Azerbaijan deserve to feel proud for the great historical, cultural and artistic heritage they produce not for the Muslim world only but for all the humanity. Wonderful nature, climate, natural resources of the country combined with the influence of rich Islamic heritage produced a significant impetus for Baku to become eligible to be nominated as the capital of Islamic Culture in 2009.

On the conflict in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the OIC is exerting its utmost effort to support the settlement of the conflict on the basis of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, as well as relevant UNSC resolutions and OSCE decisions.

As the largest intergovernmental institution in the Muslim world, the OIC has appreciated and will always appreciate the great efforts undertaken by Azerbaijan in supporting all the development endeavours and just causes of the Muslim World and commend the active role played by H.E. President Aliyev in consolidating the spirit of Islamic solidarity in different fields.
It is my hope and fervent wish that this ceremony would pave the way to bring back the past glory of Islamic Civilization and Culture by building bridges between the divides and overcome current days' prejudices, misconceptions and polarizations threatening the world peace and social coherence.
I am keen to assure you that the OIC General Secretariat would continue to extend its all possible support and assistance to Azerbaijan with a view to achieving the objectives of the events celebrating the nomination of Baku as the Capital of Islamic Culture. I sincerely believe the designation of Baku as the Capital of Islamic Culture will be an appropriate occasion to promote the Islamic values which are so happily embodied in the hospitality, beauty and diversity that can all witnesses in this outstanding city. I wish every success of this ceremony.