October 4, 2010

Chabad Ohr Avner Education Center for Jewish children opened in Khatai district, Baku

President Ilham Aliyev attended opening ceremony of 450-seat Chabad Ohr Avner Education Center built for Jewish children by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Ohr Avner Foundation in Abilov settlement of Khatai district, Baku, October 4.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva were sincerely welcomed in the event by representatives of Jewish communities from different countries and Azerbaijan’s Jewish community, teachers and pupils.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and Ohr Avner Foundation Lev Leviev cut the red ribbon.

 

The President of Azerbaijan was informed the measures taken in the country over the past years for the development of education show Azerbaijan’s will to see its future more reliable and confidential. In its turn, Heydar Aliyev Foundation supports projects implemented on the governmental level, assuring development of science and education. Paying attention to this sphere and performing a lot of projects, the Foundation named after the national leader of Azerbaijani people makes huge contributions to the future of Azerbaijan. Together with Ohr Avner Foundation, Heydar Aliyev Foundation has built a center for education of Jewish children living in Azerbaijan within the Home to Tolerance – Azerbaijan Project. Instructions were given in 2003 by great leader Heydar Aliyev on construction of the building and in December 2004 by President Ilham Aliyev on allocation of place to the new complex. May 31, 2007, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and Ohr Avner Foundation Lev Leviev signed a deal on 3-year cooperation in field of construction, reconstruction and material supply of educational, medical, cultural and social objects. The same day, cornerstone of the education centre for Jewish children living in Azerbaijan was laid in Khatai district of Baku.

 

Realization of this project once more proves all nations in Azerbaijan have always lived as one family irrespective of language, religion, ethnicity. Chabad Ohr Avner Education Center has been constructed for the protection of unique culture and national traditions of Jewish community that has a huge history and traditions in Azerbaijan.

 

The lobby of the 3-floor complex features a photo stand displaying meetings national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev had with Jewish community members, as well construction of the Education Center.

 

Video address by Israeli President Simon Peres on the opening of the Center was played. Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the construction of the Education Center, he called construction of the Center a big event and valued national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev as great historical personalities. The Israeli President thanked all guests in the ceremony. 

 

Unlike other educational centers, ethno-cultural Chabad Ohr Avner Education Center will teach the bases of Jewish culture, also Hebrew.

 

The Center has 30 classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and educational supplies. Azerbaijani Language Room includes stands reflecting state attributes, sights of Baku, a special stand in the memory of Heydar Aliyev.

 

The Center’s teachers room and preschool training department meet the highest standards. An outdoor stadium with artificial cover has been set within 700 sq.m, renovation works done in the yard. 

 

President Ilham Aliyev congratulated representatives of Jewish communities, teachers and pupils on the opening of the school. He mentioned receiving high quality education here children will grow as worthy citizens of Azerbaijan. The President underlined great attention is paid to development of education in Azerbaijan, stressing construction of the Center is a new manifestation of tolerance in the country. The Center is another contribution to the development of friendly ties between Azerbaijanis and Jews. According to I.Aliyev, representatives of various nations live in friendship and peace in dynamically developing Azerbaijan. We want the youth to protect this peace, the President said, wishing peace and welfare to all nations living in Azerbaijan.

 

President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and Ohr Avner Foundation Lev Leviev expressed thanks to President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse for the construction of the Center. He touched upon the care and attention great leader Heydar Aliyev rendered to education. L.Leviev presented an award to Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, for her contributions to developing tolerance and interfaith dialogue in Azerbaijan.

 

Picture was taken in the end.