Traditionally moderate and open to dialogue, the Muslim community in the Caucasus is happy about the election of Pope Francis. "I am sure that you will contribute to inter-religious dialogue and cooperation," the grand mufti said.

Baku (AsiaNews) - The Muslim community in the Caucasus is happy. Grand Mufti Allahshukur Pashazade is also approvingly happy about Pope Francis's ascension to the papacy.

In a letter of congratulations, he wrote, "On these significant days for all Catholics in the world, expressing the will of millions of Muslims in Caucasus, I wish you robust health and long life," said the grand mufti in his letter. "This important event is a good opportunity for me to express my deepest satisfaction with the level of our inter-confessional cooperation."

In Azerbaijan, the Catholic community has 450 members. It is a small but growing reality that enjoys respect and consideration by the authorities and other religious groups.

Five missionaries of Charity are active in the capital Baku, and their house is home mostly to Muslims.

In 2010, Fr Théodore Mascarenhas, head of the Departments of Asia, Africa and Oceania at the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture, described Azerbaijan as "committed to a multicultural model of inter-religious harmony, serving as a bridge between East and West, an example that many Muslim nations could follow if they truly want to be modern."

In his letter to Pope Francis last month, Allahshukur Pashazade also wrote, "We are pleased with the current level of relations between the Holy See and Azerbaijan, where tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation have become norms of life. I am sure that you will contribute to inter-religious dialogue and cooperation."

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