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June 8, 2015

Mehriban Aliyeva is a personification of benevolence and hope

How has Mehriban Aliyeva won the hearts of millions of people regardless of their age, nationality and faith? The answer is simple. She is respected and loved for her humanistic attitude towards people, caring for and supporting the needy, sharing their problems, and for being at their side when they need her. 


Mehriban Aliyeva is Azerbaijan’s First Lady, the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO and the first woman-goodwill ambassador of ISESCO. 


With a view to more broadly popularizing Azerbaijan’s culture, Mehriban Aliyeva founded the magazine “IRS-Nasledie” (Heritage) in Azerbaijani, Russian and English.


In 2002, Mehriban Aliyeva was elected president of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation. Her organizational skills and international prestige has played a decisive role in taking a decision to hold the World Cup competitions for rhythmic gymnastics in 2003 and 2004 and the world championship in 2005 in Azerbaijan.


Projects implemented under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva cover such spheres as healthcare, culture, social sphere, environment, sports etc. Her activity, which has become a part of the modern Azerbaijani history, give a clear idea of an Azerbaijani woman in the life of the society. Mehriban Aliyeva has become a model of harmonic, purposeful and strong women.


Azerbaijani woman see Mehriban khanum as not only a leader and political figure, but also a reliable and close person who gives a helping hand to all who need it.


Restoration of historical and cultural monuments is one of the tasks that Mehriban Aliyeva set for herself. Azerbaijan has been taking active part in restoration of cultural monuments in Versailles Palace’s park, the Islamic Culture section in Louvre Museum, the Berlin Castle, the Philosophers Hall in Capitoline Museum in Rome, andother monuments of culture. 


She approaches protection of the environment, including issues associated with chopping down trees, with special sensitivity. Under her instruction, employees of the Foundation have repeatedly been to places where trees were chopped down, and effectively prevented destruction of rare tree species. It was Mehriban Aliyeva, at whose initiative millions of trees were planted in the country since 2005. 


To introduce Azerbaijan to the world as it is – as a country where historically sincere friendship and partnership relations relying on mutual respect and trust between different peoples and religionsexisted, and a secular, multinational and multi-confessional state where high tolerance traditions have been formed - is the first priority issue in the activity of the country’s first lady. 


Within the framework of the project “Azerbaijan – the Address of Tolerance”, restoration works were carried out on various religious objects such as Pir Hasan Shrine, Saint Mary Orthodox Church and the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku, Juma Mosque in Shamakhy and Hazrati Zeynab Mosque in Ganja, and churches in various regions of France, stained-glass windows of the 14th-century Cathedral in Strasbourg, and a monument was erected to Prince Vladimir in Astrakhan. The international community appreciated the restoration of Saint Roman catacombs following Mehriban Aliyeva’s initiative as contribution of the Muslim world to preservation of holy monuments of the Christian world. 


A number of significant projects have been implemented under Mehriban Aliyeva’s leadership. She has been contributing to preserving national and cultural values and introducing them to the world, and providing support to the talented youth – sportsmen, artists, and musicians. She has returned health and hope to thousands of people. All these serve to one purpose, for the benefit of her people and Homeland. Her activity inspires people to doing benevolent jobs, and serves to establishing such values as mercy and compassion in the society. 


Following the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s president, a centre has been built in Azerbaijan for thalassemia patients. All conditions have been created here to study this disease both in scientific and practical terms. 


Due to Mehriban Aliyeva’s efforts, charity and patronage of art traditions were revived in the social life of the society. She broke down all misconceptions established in the society’s thinking that all social problems may only be solved by the state, and secured participation of all classes of the society in their solution. 


Holding of days of Azerbaijani culture, events devoted to regaining of state independence by Azerbaijan, as well as building diplomatic relations with foreign countries, opening of the Azerbaijan Culture Centre in Paris, holding of a series of events at the headquarters of the European parliament and UNESCO and UN headquarters in Geneva serve to one purpose – strengthening the position of the country at the international arena and improving its image.


The fact that Mehriban Aliyeva is heading the Organizing Committee on preparations for the first European Games to be held in 2015 in Baku testifies to her activity’s serving to the best interests of the state of Azerbaijan and lifting the country’s image at the international arena. 


A decision on holding of the first in history European Games in the capital of Azerbaijan – the city of Baku – in 2015 was taken in December 2012 in Rome. 


The Games are held by the European Olympic Committee - with the headquarters in Lausanne, which currently unites 50 national Olympic committees. Opening ceremony of the Games will take place on June 12, and the closing ceremony on June 28, 2015. 


This was a historical decision, because, as opposed to other continental games, European Games have never been held. This was a great confidence expressed by the European Olympic Family towards Azerbaijan. 


Moreover, a modern sport infrastructure has been created in Azerbaijan recent years. Over 40 Olympic centres have been opened in regions of Azerbaijan. All sport facilities created and renovated in Baku meet the highest standards. 


Recent years, Azerbaijan hosted a number of world and European championships. Of course, Azerbaijan’s rapid economic development has played its role in taking this decision. 


Today, Azerbaijan and the city of Baku is completely ready to hold these Games. 


Headed by Mehriban Aliyeva, the Organizing Committee justified the confidence at the highest level. These Games will enter the history like not only the first European Games, but also the most beautiful Games. Baku is ready to surpass all believable and unbelievable records. In a matter of two years, Azerbaijan could manage to do all works to ensure that the first European Games are held at the level of Olympic Games.   


No doubt, here Mehriban Aliyeva has played a special role with her tireless work, and significantly contributed to popularization of her Homeland and the International Olympic movement. This once more shows her great love for her Homeland and people.


Tulkin Eşbey


http://uchildiz.uz


http://podrobno.uz