Promote Interfaith Cooperation

Grand Mufti Catalyzes Multifaith Cooperation to Solve Societal Challenges

Azerbaijan


"Today, there is a great need for a multicultural lifestyle to be offered to the globalized world; that can prevent national, racial, and religious extremism." - Grand Mufti Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh


Grand Mufti Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, the spiritual leader of Muslims in Azerbaijan and the wider Eurasia region and a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, visited Utah with a delegation of religious leaders representing various faiths, including Christian sects and the oldest Jewish community in Azerbaijan. For nearly fifty years, the Grand Mufti has been an advocate for multifaith dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity, working to foster harmony and peace throughout the global community. The delegation’s visit to Utah with support from The Stirling Foundation included engagements with state leaders, visits to a local mosque, synagogue, and church, university student and faculty events, and strategy meetings to develop concrete deliverables from the visit. This initial exchange catalyzed many follow up engagements, participation in conferences on five continents, reciprocal visits from Utah’s Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities, and joint projects that support education, improve health, increase cultural understanding, and encourage interfaith cooperation in many countries.