Azerbaijan: Music and Religion Consolidate to Stop AIDS

BAKU, Azerbaijan - The lobby of the Song Theatre after Rashid Behbudov was full of people, secular mixed with different religious figures. The reason was that on 25 April 2006 the Theatre was hosting an anti-AIDS concert of religious music. Organized by the Forum of religious communities, the event is part of the joint activities of the United Nations Development Programme and the State Committee on the work with religious associations within the project on Strengthening capacities of religious organizations in response to HIV/AIDS.

The concert was opened by the Chairman of the State Committee on the work with religious associations, Mr. Rafig Aliyev, and UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Marco Borsotti.

Addressing the audience Mr. Aliyev said that people living with HIV/AIDS are in desperate need of not only financial but, more importantly, spiritual support. Religious organizations play unique role in supporting these people. According to Mr. Chairman, Azerbaijan with its traditional religious tolerance is one of the rare places of the globe, where all religious confessions unite in the face of the global threat named HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Borsotti underlined the special attention the organization he represents attaches to fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic. "UN has included struggling HIV/AIDS to the Organization's priorities for the next millennium". The Resident Coordinator expressed his deep satisfaction with the cooperation with the State Committee and Religious organizations of Azerbaijan. "I want to thank each and every religious community of Azerbaijan for the work they have conducted to promote the campaign against HIV/AIDS".

The event continued with the performances by amateur musicians representing various religions present in Azerbaijan: Islam, Lutheran Church, News Apostle Church, Roman Catholic Church, Krishnaism and Baha'i.


For more information contact:
Ms. Jamila Ibrahimova
Senior Development Adviser
Tel.: +99412 498 98 88 (ext.112)