BAKU – Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of spiritual renewal, family unity, and prayers for peace. During these sacred days, we Jews pray not only for our own people but also for justice, understanding, and prosperity for all humankind.
In recent years, one source of joy has stood out for me: the heartfelt Rosh Hashanah greetings of President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Jewish community of his country. These are not merely diplomatic gestures, they embody Azerbaijan’s state philosophy and moral values.
Azerbaijan — A Rare Model of Interfaith Harmony
As a Middle East scholar who has studied interreligious and sociocultural dynamics for decades, I can say with confidence that Azerbaijan stands out as a beacon of harmony and multicultural coexistence in a region often marked by division.
For centuries, Muslims, Jews, and Christians have lived side by side in Azerbaijan, bound by mutual respect and friendship. The best symbol of this harmony is the Red Town (Qırmızı Qəsəbə) in Quba, the only all-Jewish settlement outside Israel.
In his Rosh Hashanah messages, President Aliyev often highlights this fact, rightly emphasizing that the Jewish community is an inseparable part of the Azerbaijani nation. This is more than acknowledgment, it reflects a deep choice of values shared by both the state and its people.
President Aliyev’s Greetings — A Testament to Sincerity and Leadership
President Aliyev’s greetings to the Jewish community are remarkable for their warmth and sincerity. Each message feels less like a formal statement and more like the words of a friend and compatriot.
Through these greetings, the President reaffirms Azerbaijan’s commitment to tolerance and coexistence. He reminds the world that religious or ethnic differences do not divide people, they enrich humanity.
This approach demonstrates that Azerbaijan’s multicultural policy is not merely a political concept but a personal conviction and a moral responsibility upheld at the highest level of leadership.
Azerbaijan–Israel Relations: A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Today, Azerbaijan and Israel enjoy cooperation across many fields, from energy and defense to technology and culture. Yet, the true strength of this partnership lies not in economics or geopolitics, but in shared values and mutual respect.
President Aliyev’s Rosh Hashanah greetings to the Jewish community form the emotional and moral foundation of this friendship. They symbolize the deep trust and historic bond between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Israel.
Thanks to this spirit of goodwill, Azerbaijan has become a rare example of interfaith understanding and a culture of peace in the broader Middle East.
A Message for the Future
Rosh Hashanah is a time of new beginnings. Each year, our hopes remain the same, more peace, more friendship, and more understanding.
The respect and care that the Azerbaijani people extend to their Jewish compatriots, renewed each year through President Ilham Aliyev’s sincere messages, represent a living lesson in humanity and mutual compassion.
From Israel, I can say sincerely: the relationship between our nations is bound not merely by politics, but by values, conscience, and moral affinity. May this friendship continue to inspire future generations and open new chapters of peace and mutual respect between Azerbaijan and Israel.