Azerbaijani NGOs appeal to Iranian President
Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations have addressed an open letter to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
According to Operativ Media, the letter reads:
"Dear Mr. President,
We, the representatives of civil society organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, first of all express our deep respect to you.
We highly appreciate your visit to liberated Khankendi and the city of Shusha, which is dear to every Azerbaijani, the goodwill you have demonstrated toward the Republic of Azerbaijan, the importance you attach to good-neighborly relations between Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as your relations with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, based on mutual respect, trust, and sincerity.
Your work as a physician operating on dozens of Azerbaijani patients, treating them with great attention and care, your dedication to serving people, as well as your civic stance as a public figure have further increased the Azerbaijani people's affection for you.
Dear Mr. President,
Your love and respect for the Azerbaijani language, the national and spiritual values, and the rich literary heritage of the Azerbaijani people are commendable. Reciting poems in your native language in various speeches, citing Azerbaijani proverbs, communicating with your family members in your native language, and proudly demonstrating your attachment to this language are invaluable.
All this demonstrates that for you, the Azerbaijani language is not merely a means of communication, but an integral part of spiritual identity, historical memory, and national belonging.
It is from this perspective that we believe, as a head of state who appreciates the exceptional importance of the native language in human life, you will also approach with special sensitivity the desire of millions of Azerbaijanis living in Iran to receive education in their native language.
We believe the time has come to take historic steps toward ensuring native-language education opportunities for Azerbaijanis, who have always played an important role in Iran's socio-political, economic, cultural, and other spheres of life.
Expanding opportunities for millions of people, who are worthy successors of that historical heritage, to preserve, develop, and transmit their native language to future generations is a matter of both moral responsibility and historical justice.
We ask you to personally initiate decisive and practical steps toward guaranteeing native-language education opportunities for Azerbaijanis living in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as enshrined in the country's Constitution.
We believe that for this purpose, there is a need to organize the systematic teaching of the Azerbaijani language in schools, establish secondary and higher education institutions providing instruction in Azerbaijani, train relevant pedagogical staff, develop textbooks and curricula, and establish the necessary legal and institutional mechanisms in this direction.
We are confident that such an initiative will not only serve to fulfill the longstanding dream of millions of people, but will also become a striking example of valuing Iran's cultural diversity and demonstrating commitment to justice and equality.
Providing the opportunity for education in one's native language is respect shown to a people's past, value given to its present, and the most precious investment in its future.
Dear Mr. President,
We believe that historic steps taken in this direction during your presidency will leave an indelible mark in the memory of millions of Azerbaijanis and will always be remembered with gratitude.
We, representatives of Azerbaijani civil society, express our readiness to provide all possible support within our capabilities toward carrying out this noble mission, developing native-language education, and expanding scientific, pedagogical, and cultural cooperation.
As we pen this letter, we remember with deep emotion the immortal lines dedicated to our native language by Shahriyar, the great master of words of Azerbaijan and Iran, whom you also always remember with great love and respect.
We trust that as a president who holds great love for his native language, you will not withhold your worthy contribution to achieving this historic mission.
With deep respect and esteem,
Representatives of non-governmental organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
1. Ramil Iskandarli – Chairman of the Board of the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan
2. Fuad Mammadov – Chairman of the "Simurq" Azerbaijan Cultural Association
3. Sevda Tahirli – Head of the Mirza Alakbar Sabir Foundation
4. Varis Yolchiyev – Head of the Azerbaijan Literature Foundation
5. Sevinj Alizada – Chairwoman of the "Zafar" Support for Martyrs' Families Public Union
6. Zaur Ibrahimli – Chairman of the "Priority" Center for Socio-Economic Studies Public Union
7. Dilgam Ahmad – Chairman of the "Chapar" Center for National Heritage Research Public Union
8. Seyfaddin Huseynli – Chairman of the "Center for Cultural and Ethnic Diversity" Public Union
9. Saadat Mammadova – Chairwoman of the "Enlightener Media Center" Public Union
10. Gamar Baghirova – Chairwoman of the "Assistance to Development of Culture, Science and Education named after Jafar Jabbarly" Public Union
11. Farida Mirishova – Chairwoman of the "Iz" Support for Cultural Development Public Union
12. Sevinj Abdullayeva – Chairwoman of the "Support for Education of Women and Children" Public Union
13. Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the Constitution Research Foundation
14. Konul Behbudova – Chairwoman of the "Karabakh Missing Families" Public Union
15. Shabnam Safarova – Chairwoman of the "For the Progress of Karabakh" Public Union
16. Umud Mirzayev – Head of the International Eurasia Press Fund
17. Mubariz Asgarov – Chairman of the "Objective" Support for Promotion of National Values Public Union
18. Shahin Rahmanli – Chairman of the "Ireli" Public Union
19. Irada Rzazada – Chairwoman of the "For Social Well-being of Citizens" Public Union
20. Lala Sardarli – Chairwoman of the "Assistance to Protection and Promotion of Applied Art Samples" Public Union
21. Maqsad Sariyev – "YENISI" Center for Literary and Cultural Manifestations Public Union
22. Tukazban Suleymanova – Chairwoman of the "Learning by Teaching" Support for Intellectual Development of Youth Public Union
23. Fariz Khalilli – Chairman of the "Miras" Assistance to the Study of Cultural Heritage Public Union
24. Mushfig Alasgarli – Chairman of the "Support for Innovative Initiatives in Media" Public Union
25. Khatira Valiyeva – Chairwoman of the "Khankendi" Support for IDPs Public Union
26. Saltanat Gojamanli – Chairwoman of the "Protection of Human Rights and Legality" Public Union
27. Novella Jafarova – Chairwoman of the "Society for Protection of Women's Rights named after D. Aliyeva" Public Union
28. Saadat Bananyarli – Chairwoman of the "International Society for Human Rights Azerbaijan National Section" Public Union
29. Agil Jamal – Chairman of the "Shared Values" Public Union
30. Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the "Human Rights Promotion Center" Public Union
31. Samad Vakilov – Chairman of the "Muvakkil Rights Center" Public Union
32. Elshad Eyvazov – Chairman of the Impartial Journalists Public Union
33. Shalala Hasanova – Chairwoman of the Assistance to Development of Public Relations Public Union
34. Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the "Azerbaijan Journalists Network" Public Union
35. Shahla Naghiyeva – Chairwoman of the "Unquenchable Flame" Cultural Relations Public Union
36. Casarat Huseynzada – Chairman of the "Support for Information and Social Initiatives" Public Union
37. Vusala Huseynli – Chairwoman of the "Reformist Women and Innovations" Public Union
38. Ahmad Abbasbayli – Chairman of the "Center for Community Development" Public Union
39. Ayten Hasanova – Chairwoman of the "Support for Azerbaijan Cultural Heritage Crafts and Creative Industry" Public Union
40. Fuad Huseynzada – Chairman of the "Journalists' Support to Diaspora Activity" Public Union
41. Anar Khalilov – Chairman of the "Healthy Development and Enlightenment" Public Union
42. Javid Abdullayev – Chairman of the "New Way" Youth Enlightenment Public Union
43. Turana Orujova – Founder and Chairwoman of the "Support to Progress of Art" Public Union
44. Khalid Kazimov – Chairman of the "Regional Center for Human Rights and Media" Public Union
45. Elshad Mammadli – Chairman of the "Civic Enlightenment" Public Union
46. Narmin Karimova – Chairwoman of the "Goyarchin" Support for Education Development Public Union
47. Afsaladdin Aghalarov – Chairman of the "Assistance to Socio-Economic Development of Youth" Public Union
48. Yadigar Mammadli – Chairman of the "League of Democratic Journalists of Azerbaijan" Public Union
49. Tunzala Abdulalimova – Chairwoman of the "For the Motherland" Support for Martyrs' Families Public Union
50. Jeyran Hasanova – Chairwoman of the "Support for Mothers of Martyrs" Public Union
51. Vugar Gadirov – Chairman of the "Youth Organization for Return and Revival" Public Union
52. Karamat Ismayilov – Chairman of the "Center for Economic and Social Development" Public Union
53. Fikrat Yusifov – Chairman of the "Economics" International Economic Research Public Union
54. Ilgar Huseynli – Chairman of the "Socio-strategic studies and analytical research" Public Union
55. Jamila Isbandiyarova – Chairwoman of the "In the Light of Intellect" Assistance to Promotion of National Values Public Union"
