Day: January 26, 2024

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order to celebrate the 530th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet Fizuli, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Turan. The Head of State instructed the Ministries of Culture, Science and Education, together with the National Academy of Sciences, to prepare and implement an action plan on the occasion of the anniversary date.

Fizuli belongs to the classics of Azerbaijani poetry. Fizuli is mainly a lyric poet. The vast majority of his poetic works are ghazals, the largest – the poem “Leyli and Majnun” is considered the pinnacle of the poet’s work.

The 500th anniversary of Fizuli in 1995 was celebrated under the auspices of UNESCO.

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“We are proud of our religious diversity, which does not depend on any political conjuncture. Muslim, Jewish, Christian, we are all one family. It’s part of our DNA,” remarked Elchin Amirbayov, the Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on special assignments, in an article featured by the US-based International Policy Digest, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.

The article emphasizes that “though predominantly Muslim, Azerbaijan boasts a government and education system reflective of its Muslim, Christian, and Jewish citizens”. Krishna Nag, the author of the article, noted that “Azerbaijan, poised strategically on the historic Silk Road, a nexus between East and West, has long been a beacon of hospitality”.

“The nation has previously received accolades for its religious tolerance, including commendations from Pope Francis, who hailed it as a beacon in a world rent by violent extremism.”

Despite these positive attributes, Azerbaijan finds itself unexpectedly penalized, the author notes. “In an enigmatic move, the United States has placed Azerbaijan on a religious freedom watchlist alongside nations like Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom cited concerns for the preservation of Christian heritage in Karabakh.”

“We regret and reject this unwarranted and biased decision,” expressed Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of President Ilham Aliyev on special assignments, during an interview with International Policy Digest. As a former ambassador to the Holy See, Amirbayov recounted Pope Francis’ visit to Baku in 2016, where the pontiff extolled Azerbaijan’s religious harmony.

The article underscores that the decision to list Azerbaijan as a watchlist country is puzzling. “International law has consistently recognized Karabakh and its surrounding provinces as Azerbaijani territory. Despite UN resolutions demanding Armenia’s withdrawal, Azerbaijan only recently reacquired its territories after decades of Armenian occupation.”

Amirbayov stated that Western observers, including Emmanuel Dupuy of the L’Institut Prospective et Sécurité en Europe, have condemned the desecration and destruction of Azerbaijani cultural sites by Armenian forces over the years. “Over decades, Azerbaijani cultural artifacts in Karabakh have been systematically vandalised, misappropriated, and destroyed,” Dupuy said.

The inclusion of Armenia on the same watchlist, however, never materialized, prompting accusations of double standards from Amirbayov. He contrasts this with Azerbaijan’s commitment to safeguarding all cultural and religious sites post-liberation. Furthermore, Azerbaijan perceives potential bias in the U.S. Commission’s report, noting that one of its authors, Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian, has ties to Armenian advocacy groups.

“The U.S.’s apparent partiality in this matter is concerning. It risks sidelining Azerbaijan, a country whose secular Muslim identity and alignment with the West render it a potential mediator in regional conflicts. Azerbaijan’s recent peace overtures towards Armenia underscore this potential,” the article says.

“In a world craving moderation and tolerance, it is counterproductive to estrange a strategic partner like Azerbaijan. Instead, the West would do well to harness Azerbaijan’s rich experience of religious pluralism, guiding a more harmonious existence in the Middle East and elsewhere,” the author concludes.

The post Elchin Amirbayov: We are proud of our religious diversity, which does not depend on any political conjuncture appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the Governor-General of Australia David John Hurley on the occasion of the country’s national holiday – Australia Day, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.

“On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Commonwealth of Australia.

I believe that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Australia will continue to flourish in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, serving the interests of our peoples.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Australia peace and prosperity,” the letter reads.

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“More than 55% of landmine explosions in recent years occurred in locations outside the areas where maps were provided by Armenia,” according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac, citing the statement by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We remind that 342 of our fellow citizens have become landmine victims since the end of the Patriotic War in 2020, with 65 individuals killed, including three journalists. Out of 65 dead, 50 were civilians.

Moreover, urgent measures have to be taken by Armenia to provide information on fates of 4000 missing Azerbaijanis, and places of mass graves where Azerbaijanis have been buried over the last 30 years,” the ministry noted.

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