Despite the fact that many countries in the world are helpless in the face of rising extremism, living together in mutual respect astonishes foreign visitors when they see in Azerbaijan how a Muslim majority-Shiite country welcomes communities Jews and other minorities also protected by a government committed to multiculturalism and the fight against anti-Semitism, radicalism and all types of racism. People welcomed warmly when people came out with their kippa or when they practiced their religious faith in the synagogues. In addition, Azerbaijan and Israel face existential threats of religious extremism and Islamic fundamentalism. Both are old, the two allied countries are surrounded by religious extremism destabilizing the region.

Upon arrival in this country, you might discover some basic facts about Azerbaijan that apparently do not exist in this combination anywhere else. First, it is, a Muslim democratic nation. Second, there has never been a pogrom in Azerbaijan. There is simply no anti-Semitism. This is not only a function of no incitement to violence by religious clerics. People are proud of their pluralism and ethnic, cultural and religious communities. Third, the government and people openly support the State of Israel.