November 16 is the International Day for Tolerance.

The Latin word "tolerancia" means tolerance. However, there are different variations regarding the nature and explanation of tolerance. The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 formed the legal foundation for endorsing ideas about tolerance. That declaration states that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world"; "disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind". The first international legal document in the field of tolerance is the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 25, 1981. The most complete document related to tolerance is the "Declaration on the Principles of Tolerance" adopted by the UNESCO General Conference on November 16, 1995. Article 6 of the Declaration reads: "In order to generate public awareness, emphasize the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education, we solemnly proclaim 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance". 
   
Historically, Azerbaijan is one of the places where different languages, religions and cultures are developing freely. The historical roots of the values of multiculturalism and tolerance in our country go back to ancient times. The peoples who have inhabited these lands since ancient times have lived together in friendship and brotherhood, regardless of language, religion and cultural differences. Throughout our ancient and modern history, centuries-old traditions of multiculturalism and peaceful coexistence have been formed.

Today, cultural diversity has become a way of life in all regions of our country. After national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power, regulation of state-religious relations, national-religious stability, preservation of tolerance and multiculturalism, ethnic and religious tolerance became one of the main directions of the state policy of Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev presented multiculturalism as an integral part of the idea of Azerbaijanism for the first time, developed the tradition of Azerbaijan's multiculturalism and brought it to a qualitatively new level.
  
The national leader’s pronouncement "The more people the state unites, the richer it becomes because each of them contributes to the world culture and civilization" is confirmation that Azerbaijan, located on the Great Silk Road, at the crossroads of cultures, is a country faithful to the traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism, also all peoples enjoy equal rights in our state.

Explaining his position on the issues of state-religious relations, the national leader presented religion first of all as a phenomenon and an integral part of our culture, historical heritage and national mentality. In this sense, introduction of a number of additions and amendments to the Law "On Freedom of Religion" as the dictates of time, adapting the legislation aimed at strengthening tolerance and religious tolerance to international legal norms, the observation of November 16 as "International Day of Tolerance" for the first time in Azerbaijan and in the region as a whole was initiated by the national leader.

The Head of State Ilham Aliyev attaches special importance to the fact that tolerance and multiculturalism have become the state policy and way of life of the society: "Tolerance is the visiting card of Azerbaijan. That is, the high level of national and religious tolerance in Azerbaijan is already a fact, and this is the source of our strength." By declaring 2016 the "Year of Multiculturalism" President Ilham Aliyev has conveyed important messages to the local and international community. Based on the decrees signed by the Head of State, in order to pay more attention to religious, national, multicultural issues in our country and to adhere to the regular policy in this direction, the State Advisory Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Interethnic, Interreligious and Multiculturalism Issues and later on the Baku International Multiculturalism Center was established on May 15, 2014. 

The main goal of the Centre is to ensure the preservation of tolerance, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity in accordance with the ideology of Azerbaijanism, as well as to represent Azerbaijan as the centre of multiculturalism in the world, explore and promote existing multicultural models. Of course, the establishment of such a Center is an indicator that multiculturalism, which has been formed in Azerbaijan for centuries, exists as a set of values that do not go beyond the psychological and spiritual level.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva makes invaluable contributions to the development and promotion of religious tolerance, religious diversity, multiculturalism, national and moral values in our republic. Mehriban Aliyeva always brings Azerbaijan's realities, traditions, multiculturalism, and culture of tolerance to the attention of the world community at events inside and outside the country, at international conferences, supports the preservation of national and moral values and carries out great work in promoting our national culture. Mehriban Aliyeva stated that our republic is an example of tolerance for the countries of the world: "Azerbaijani society, where traditional friendly and brotherly relations and tolerance prevail among peoples, is our historical achievement, and this factor has become the leading norm of our social and political life".

The Republic of Azerbaijan is a unique example of the peaceful coexistence of many nations not only in the Caucasus but also in the whole world. Representatives of all other nationalities and national minorities always stand shoulder to shoulder with Azerbaijanis, share their joy and pain. It is no coincidence that during the Second Karabakh War they, together with Azerbaijanis, fought heroically against Armenian invaders, died for the Motherland, and became war veterans.

Protection of the rights and freedoms of national minorities is one of the main directions of the policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, which has established itself as a model State in terms of tolerance, is a State where all people living here and practicing various religions live freely today.

Recommended literature:

1. İsmayılov, Gündüz Kamil oğlu. Tolerantlıq : bildiklərimiz və bilmədiklərimiz / G. K. İsmayılov ; ön sözün müəl. M. Q. Qurbanlı ; red. N. Məmmədov. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2014. - 240 s.
2. Azərbaycan - tolerantlıq məkanı = Azerbaijan - the Land of Tolerance = Азербайджан - страна толерантности. - Bakı : n. y., 2011. - 399 s.
3. Hüseynov, Sakit Yəhya oğlu. Azərbaycanda dini tolerantlıq mədəniyyəti: tarix və müasirlik : monoqrafiya / S. Y. Hüseynov ; elmi red. A. Əlizadə. - Bakı : Təknur MMC, 2012. - 176 s.
4. Azərbaycanda tolerantlıq ənənəsi / Azərbaycan Respublikası Dini Qurumlarla İş üzrə Dövlət Komitəsi ; red. N. Məmmədov. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2015. - 160 s.
5. Hüseynov, Sakit Yəhya oğlu. Heydər Əliyev və İlham Əliyevin dövlət-din münasibətlərinin tənzimlənməsində rolu / S. Y. Hüseynov ; elmi red. İ. Məmmədzadə ; AMEA Fəlsəfə və Sosiologiya İnstitutu, Mənəvi Dəyərlərin Təbliği Fondu. - Bakı : Tuna, 2023. - 277 s.