Religious scholar from the United States visits AIT

19 November, 2019

Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, President of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF), who attends the 2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders in Baku, has visited Azerbaijan Institute of Theology (AIT).

Welcoming the guest, AIT rector Jeyhun Mammadov expressed his satisfaction with the visit. The Rector gave thorough information about the Institute and stressed that AIT attaches special importance to the establishment of international relations. He noted that the Institute is interested in cooperating with educational and research institutions specialized in this field.

J.Mammadov further emphasized the importance of cooperation in the study of experiences in educational field. The Rector mentioned the importance of researches, implementation of joint projects, mutual academic visits for the Institute staff as well as doctoral students and student exchange.

The guest further noted that Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation aims to implement important issues such as to protect a tolerant environment that promotes peace and cooperation.

He also mentioned Youth Exchange & Study (YES) program of United States Department which provides trainings for imams, scholars and community leaders in the United States bringing together people of all ages and cultures to achieve mutual understanding, prevent extremism and violence.

The guest further met with the teaching staff and students of the Institute. Jeyhun Mammadov delivered an opening speech and presented the guest emphasizing the importance of the meeting.

Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat spoke about his education, activities in the United States as well as his duties and emphasized the importance of conveying Islam properly and living with people of different religions, languages and races. He gave recommendations to students how an Islamic religious figure and clergyman should be. He emphasized the importance of foreign language learning for theologians to participate in dialogues with all nations, enhance intercultural communication and to promote a multicultural and tolerant environment.


The guest then informed students about his program invoving 68 countries and stressed the importance of the project in terms of intercultural dialogue. He also noted that AIT students’ participation in the program in the future is possible.
The event continued with presentation of a video and responses to questions.

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