Baku: On January 27, the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), the Embassy of the State of Israel in Azerbaijan, and the House of Tolerance co-organized an event titled "Holocaust through the eyes of contemporaries" to mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event began with the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, followed by a minute of silence to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, BIMC Advisor Professor Aytan Gahraman, in his opening remarks, emphasized the event's aim to remind attendees of the historical essence of the Holocaust tragedy. He elaborated on the need to address extremely dangerous tendencies such as genocide, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, hate speech, and xenophobia. The event also highlighted the importance of upholding values of tolerance, multiculturalism, and coexistence.

The event, moderated by Rashad Ilyasov, Head of the Analytical Department of the BIMC, featured a speech by Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ronen Krausz. He remarked on the Holocaust as one of the most significant tragedies of the 20th century, emphasizing that humanity should learn from it.

Other notable speakers included Igor Garafulich, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan; Azerbaijani MPs Fazil Mustafa and Anatoly Rafailov; Milikh Yevdayev, Chairman of the Religious Community of Mountain Jews in Baku; Fuad Nurullayev, Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office; Agil Shirinov, Rector of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology; Vladimir Fekete, Ordinary of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Roman Catholic Church in Azerbaijan; and Alexander Sharovsky, Head of the European Jewish Community in Baku.

The speakers stressed the tragedy's demonstration of the disastrous consequences of religious, ethnic, and racial hatred. They noted the special role religious leaders play in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and peace within society.

The event also recognized Azerbaijan's multicultural and tolerant environment, with speakers noting that for centuries, representatives of various faiths and nationalities have lived in peace and mutual trust within the country.

The UN General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day with the adoption of resolution 60/7 on November 1, 2005.