KARACHI: The Council of Pakistan - one of the most influential Pakistani American organizations – has hosted its board meeting, with the participation of Nasimi Aghayev, Consul General of Azerbaijan and Dean of the Los Angeles Consular Corps; and Can Oguz, Consul General of Turkey, as invited guests. Law enforcement officers of Los Angeles also joined the meeting, which was chaired by Dr Nighat Sarwar and Council of Pakistan President Adnan Khan.

Speaking at the event, Consul General Nasimi Aghayev highlighted the strong brotherhood between Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Turkey, and their respective communities in Los Angeles. Aghayev mentioned that consulates of three countries with the close participation of the Council of Pakistan hosted several events over the past years bringing the communities together.

The Consul General thanked both the Turkish and Pakistani communities for their vocal support to Azerbaijan’s patriotic war last year, the liberation of its territories from Armenia’s 30-year long barbaric occupation and the restoration of justice. Aghayev noted that during three decades of illegal occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories, Armenia razed to the ground over 10,000 sq. km of area, including nine cities and 900 villages. Nearly all houses of over 800,000 forcibly displaced Azerbaijani civilians were looted and demolished brick by brick, and the materials were transported to Armenia and sold there.

In addition, Armenia destroyed 700 historical Azerbaijani monuments and 927 libraries with 4.6 million books.

The Consul General noted that Azerbaijan, which is now demining and rebuilding the liberated areas, wants to sign a peace treaty with Armenia as soon as possible. Then a short film produced by Azerbaijan’s Los Angeles Consulate General, titled “Cultural Genocide in the Caucasus: The worst cultural genocide of the 21st century,” was screened.

In his remarks, Consul General Can Oguz of Turkey recognized the robust contributions of the Turkish, Azerbaijani and Pakistani communities to the rich diversity of California. He thanked the law enforcement for their selfless efforts for the safety and security of all minority groups.

Reminding the guests of the heinous assassinations of Turkish diplomats in Los Angeles by Armenian terrorists, Oguz thanked the law enforcement for their dedicated work in ensuring a safe environment for Turkish and Azerbaijani diplomats in Los Angeles, who are still threatened by radical Armenian groups. The Consul General shared his concern about the rising hate attacks against Turkish and Azerbaijani Americans in Los Angeles, and underscored the importance of the strong solidarity and cooperation among Pakistani, Turkish and Azerbaijani communities against these hostile acts.

Speaking at the event also included the leaders of the Islamic Centre of Inglewood (ICI) - one of the largest and oldest mosques in Southern California - namely the President of the ICI Javed Bava and ICI Co-Directors for Muslim Outreach Ismail Keekeebhai and Zubair Rawda. At the invitation of Azerbaijan’s Consulate General, they recently visited Azerbaijan, together with Christian and Jewish faith leaders of Los Angeles. During the visit, they had the opportunity to also travel to the liberated cities of Aghdam and Shusha.

The speakers shared their witnessing unimaginable destruction committed by Armenian troops in Karabakh during three decades of brutal occupation. They stressed that desecrating and destroying the houses of worship was totally unacceptable and must be condemned by all.

The speakers also shared their impression of Azerbaijan’s interfaith harmony and multiculturalism, as well as many meetings in Baku with faith leaders of all three religions.

The Council of Pakistan President Adnan Khan said: “Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan are three nations who have bonded to become one as brothers”.

“Since the early 1990s, the Armenian army has committed a genocide against Azerbaijani people. The people of Pakistan demand justice for Azerbaijan. The destruction of houses of worship, the destruction of cities committed by the Armenian army has to be addressed, and the Armenian government has to be held accountable. The United Nations cannot sit silent,” Adnan Khan added.

Council of Pakistan is always looking for community members who would like to help build our communities stronger.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022