The chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze received Iran’s clerical delegation headed by the supreme leader of Tehran Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi at the Administration of the Government of Georgia.

The chairman of the agency introduced the guests the issues of cooperation with the Muslim community and the decisions made by the state as well as the state religious policy and agency’s activities. Zaza Vashakmadze once again spoke about the common values on which the Orthodox and Muslim religions are based. He noted that by creating a peaceful coexistence and supporting their activities the Georgian authorities were trying to promote traditional Islam.

Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi thanked the chairman of the agency for a cordial reception, supported the decisions taken by the government of Georgia towards the Muslim community and noted that such attitude towards the religious organizations indicated the fact that Georgian government protected religious values which strengthened the country and each believer. The guest recalled the words of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia: “True Islam serves peace and love. True Islam has nothing to do with violence”.

Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi praised the state’s decision regarding the establishment of the State Agency for Religious Issues, thanked the chairman of the agency for taking care of all religions and noted that during the meetings held in the framework of the visit he personally experienced the special role of the agency, the development of Islam in Georgia and the environment ensuring peaceful coexistence between different religions.