BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Journalist Jean-Michel Brun, editor-in-chief of La Gazette du Caucase and founder of the Musulmans en France portal, has released a new book showcasing Azerbaijan as a model of social unity and interreligious cooperation, Trend reports.
Titled Interreligious Cooperation in Azerbaijan: A Model of Unity in Diversity, the book was published by the Paris-based publishing house Édition du Cygne.
In this work, Brun builds on the approach of his previous book, Shusha, Pearl of the Caucasus, in which he explored the history of Azerbaijan's cultural capital to reveal the complex political processes of the Caucasus region. In his latest book, Brun demonstrates how a diverse society can foster cohesion from diversity. He emphasizes that European countries, particularly France, may need to adopt similar approaches to avoid the divisions and disintegration that can result from discriminatory policies.
The book highlights that the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the few countries where multiculturalism and interreligious cooperation are actively supported as state policy. In this secular, multi-ethnic nation with a Shia Muslim majority, religious affiliation is not seen as a divisive factor but rather as an essential component of national unity. According to Brun, this spirit of solidarity has helped Azerbaijanis maintain cohesion even during the most challenging periods of their history, regardless of background or beliefs. He notes that forms of discrimination such as anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are reportedly rare, suggesting that Azerbaijan’s experience could serve as an example for countries seeking to strengthen social unity.
A separate section of the book focuses on how Azerbaijan stands out in a world increasingly polarized by religious conflicts. Brun describes how Shia and Sunni Muslim communities, Christians, Jews, and adherents of other faiths coexist peacefully in the country. Religious diversity is recognized as a key foundation of both stability and national development.
The book also explores Azerbaijan’s policies on preserving religious heritage, which extend beyond its borders. The country actively supports and participates in the restoration of religious monuments worldwide and maintains long-standing cooperation with institutions such as the Vatican. Brun emphasizes that this attention to religion is fully consistent with Azerbaijan’s model of secularism. He describes this approach as an inclusive form of secularism that could serve as a model for several European countries, particularly France.
Jean-Michel Brun is a journalist, filmmaker, and writer. He has produced numerous reports for major French and international television news outlets. An expert on the Arab-Muslim world and the broader Middle East, he regularly presents at international conferences, publishes articles, and produces documentaries on regions including the Persian Gulf, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe.
The book is available from Édition du Cygne and major French bookstore chains.
https://editionsducygne.com/editions-du-cygne-cooperation-inter-religieuse-azerbaidjan.html
https://www.fnac.com/a22221256/Jean-Michel-Brun-La-cooperation-inter-religieuse-en-Azerbaidjan