100th birth anniversary of Heydar Aliyev Celebrated

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan H.E Kazar Farhadov while recounting the achievements of the National Leader paid glowing tributes

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The Embassy of Azerbaijan to Pakistan organized an impressive ceremony in regard with the 100th birth anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. On this occasion the Ambassador H.E. Kazar Farhadov delivered a comprehensive speech recounting the services of the National Leader.

Here under, the Ambassador’s speech is reproduced:

First of all, I extend my deepest gratitude to all for joining us to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people.

Heydar Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923 in Nakhchivan city of Azerbaijan. As 2023 was declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” in our country, this important occasion is being celebrated solemnly in Azerbaijan and abroad.

Every nation has genius personalities who played the role of saviors in the history of national freedom and independence.

Those geniuses with their determination led their people behind them and played the role of victor in the most fateful moments.

The renaissance and awakening of national consciousness started with Heydar Aliyev’s coming to power, and thanks to him, the independence of Azerbaijan became eternal and irreversible.

Heydar Aliyev proved that he was a visionary and decisive politician when he first led the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic from 1969-1982.

As a result of the intense activities of Heydar Aliyev, great successes were achieved in the economy, industry, agriculture, education, and culture.

Numerous industrial enterprises, cultural and educational centers, and medical institutions were built. New mass housing and roads were built, and gas lines were laid in remote areas. In those years when Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan, the solid foundation of state independence was laid.

Decisive steps were taken in the direction of nationalization of the cadres. Every year hundreds of young people were sent to the most advanced universities of the USSR to acquire various important qualifications, and Azerbaijanis were promoted to important state positions.

The adoption of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1978 and the establishment of the Azerbaijani language as the state language are the services of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

At that time, when the totalitarian Soviet regime ruled, the determination of the legal basis for the preservation and development of the moral wealth of the Azerbaijani people, especially the language, in the supreme law of the republic is considered a very brave step. He was Heydar Aliyev who was able to cope with this difficult task, which was in complete contradiction with the requirements of the Soviet national policy.

In this respect, the period after Heydar Aliyev’s leadership of the republic is accepted as the beginning of national consciousness and national self-return.

In 1987, in protest at the policy pursued by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Heydar Aliyev resigned from his posts.

In 1991, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan.

In May-June 1993, when Azerbaijan was at the verge of civil war and loss of independence, the people of Azerbaijan demanded to bring Heydar Aliyev to power.

On 15 June 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, and on 24 June took the office of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 3 October 1993, in a nationwide voting which saw a high turnout, Heydar Aliyev was elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

When Heydar Aliyev came to power, he eliminated chaos and anarchy, economic and political difficulties in the country.

The Agreement of the Century, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and other internationally important projects are connected with the name of Heydar Aliyev. As a result of the great leader’s wise policy, high-speed socio-economic development was ensured in Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan became a country with a strong position in international relations. Thanks to him, the independence of Azerbaijan became eternal.

Heydar Aliyev is the architect of the development of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. He attached great importance to Pakistan.

On 9-11 April 1996, Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit to Pakistan. Several documents were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan during the visit. That visit played an irreplaceable role in the development of relations between the two countries.

He said about 2 countries: “Pakistan and Azerbaijan have very good and friendly relations. These relations are based on our ancient historical traditions. It is no coincidence that Pakistan is one of the first states to recognize the independence of our country after Azerbaijan declared its independence.”

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attaches great importance to Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations, which were constructed by Heydar Aliyev. The ties between the two brotherly countries are at a high level in all fields.

At the end of my speech, I would like once again to thank all our Friends for joining us to celebrate this important occasion.

It merits to mention here that on this occasion the Azerbaijani singers displayed the enthralling Mugham performance and not only mesmerised the audience but earned big acclaim.

The performers included:

Ms. Almakhanim Ahmadli – Mugham singer

Mr. Masim Islamov – playing Tar

Mr. Elvin Novruzov – playing Kamancha

It is important to note that the first frets of Mugham – one of the main genres of Azerbaijani folk music – sounded in ancient times. Its performance art goes back to the tradition of Koran recitation or even earlier – to Avesta hymns. The meaning of the word “Mugham” is interpreted as “God sent music”. And for its numerous admirers – it is not only a beautiful lyrical melody but also a state of mind, a way to merge with the world, and a kind of cosmic philosophy.

Mugham is normally performed by three musicians – a tar player, a kamancha player, and a singer – khanande, who leads the main theme decorating it with improvisations and emotional shades.

For the Azerbaijani people, mugham is music, philosophy, and a kind of meditation, which helps to uncover spiritual bases in people, having a healing effect on the soul and mind and forming a cosmism of thinking and everything that laid the basis of multiculturalism – the modern progressive policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2003, Azerbaijani Mugham was proclaimed as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Azerbaijani Mugham was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.