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UNFPA/Government joint Conference highlights issue of
Family in Islam
 Each year on 15 May the world celebrated International Day of Families, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/237 of 20 September 1993. This annual observance reflects the importance the international community attaches to families regarding their situation around the world. The theme of this year's International Day of Families is "Changing Families: Challenges and Opportunities".
On 12 May 2006 United Nations Population Fund jointly with the Azerbaijan Republic State Committee on Family, Women and Children Problems and the Azerbaijan Republic State Committee on work with Religious Associations will organize a Conference entitled "Family in Islam: Islamic perspectives on gender equality". Dedicated to commemoration of the International Day of Families, the Conference is aimed at promoting gender equality from the point of religious perspective.
 In Islam both men and women are considered as stemming from the same soul, and are treated on an equal footing, physically, spiritually, intellectually and psychologically; hence natural rights, namely, the rights to life, education and work, are bestowed upon them equally.
The Conference attended by the Chairperson of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Issues, Ms. Hijran Huseynova, Chairman of the State Committee on work with Religious Associations, Mr. Rafig Aliyev, Ombudsman of Azerbaijan Republic, Ms. Elmira Suleymanova. It brought together representatives of relevant Ministries, religious communities, academia, civil society and media.
 Opening the event Chairperson of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Issues, Ms. Hijran Huseynova congratulated the participants with the upcoming International Day of Families and noted that this particular event is part of a series of activities within a ten-day campaign on commemoration of the Day, organized by the Committee.
Chairman of the State Committee on work with Religious Associations, Mr. Rafig Aliyev referred to the fact that people often misinterpret religious attitude towards issues related to women and family. Negative cases of early and forced marriages are still observed in Azerbaijan. Mr. Aliyev underlined the necessity of enlightenment and raising public awareness in the real values and the status of women of Islam.
In its turn the representatives of different religious Associations and NGOs expressed their interest in collaboration with state bodies and UNFPA in addressing gender sensitive issues from religious perspective to promote the principles of gender equality on grass-root level. They also underlined that being citizens of Azerbaijan, every religious person should respect both the religious legislation and the state legislative codes which is very important in addressing early marriages cases.
 UNFPA National Programme Adviser, Mr. Farid Babayev touched upon similarities between the rights of women in Islamic legislation and international human rights standards among which are tolerance and gender equality.
The Conference continued with presentations by respective specialists both in Islam and gender.
For more information contact:
Mr. Farid Babayev
Programme Coordinator
Tel: +99412 498 98 88 (ext. 124)
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