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The Azerbaijani authorities are inciting religious enmity at the state level, accusing Armenians of Islamophobia with absolute falsehood, Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan said on Sunday, referring to his new ad hoc report on Azerbaijan’s policy of Armenophobia after the 44-day war in Artsakh.

“How, for example, can they explain the famous Decree of the founder of Islam, Muhammad, which he adopted in 626AD after the visit of the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Abraham and his 40 delegates? By this he extended his protection to the Holy Thomb of Christ, churches and monasteries in "Jerusalem, Damascus and Arab regions", including the St. Hakobyants Monastery in Jerusalem, educational institutions and property. It was preserved later,” he wrote on Facebook.

In Tatoyan’s words, historical facts prove the respect of the Armenian people, as well as the respect of the Armenian Church for Islam and other religions, starting from the countries with Islam. With many peoples of the Islamic world Armenians have lived as friends for centuries

“This policy of the Azerbaijani authorities incites hostility towards Armenians living in countries where they profess Islam. It incites enmity between nations,” Tatoyan stated.

The ombudsman highlighted that the Upper and Inner Mosques of Shushi, Artsakh remained standing and preserved, the Upper Mosque and the building of the madrasa, a caring school, were completely renovated, and a park was built. There is a functioning mosque in Yerevan, he added.

“Instead, the Azerbaijani armed forces shelled and desecrated the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral and Kanach Zham church in Shushi, destroyed the Zoravor Surb Astvatsatsin Church in Mekhakavan in Artsakh, desecrated the St. Yeghishe Church in Mataghis, destroyed Armenian khachkars in Shush, Hadrut. The St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Baku has been desecrated, turned into a library archive, the cross has been removed from the dome, there is no tabernacle, the tombstones that were adjacent to the church have been destroyed,” Tatoyan stressed.

“Currently, everything is being done at the state level to change the affiliation of Armenian churches and monasteries. This policy is already manifested in the new forms of torture of Armenian captives on religious grounds.

“Therefore, the Azerbaijani statements are absolutely false, they have political motives and are very dangerous for peace.

“All these facts are presented in details in the report of the Armenian HRD published two days ago and in this press conference,” he noted.