Live performance of ‘God-sent’ music enthrals audience
Zubair Qureshi
Azerbaijan’s folk artists at a concert organized by Ambassador Khazar Farhadov and his team to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev (1923-2003), sent the guests to another world of spiritual ecstasy and joy with their superb performance of ‘Mugham’ and command of the musical instruments.
‘Mugham’ is one of the main genres of Azerbaijani classical music that goes back to the tradition of Quran recitation or even earlier – to Avesta hymns. The meaning of the word “Mugham” is interpreted as “God sent music”.
The guests were enthralled by the performance of Azerbaijani artists— Almakhanim Ahmadli (Mugham singer), Masim Islamov (Tar player) and Elvin Novruzov (Kamancha player)—who had traveled all the way from Azerbaijan for the concert. Federal Minister for Defence Production Muhammad Israr Tareen was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Besides a large number of parliamentarians, diplomats, religious scholars, members of academia, representatives of the MoFA, in service and retired army officers and civil society representatives attended the event to greet Ambassador Farhadov and his graceful spouse Tarana Farhadov on the auspicious occasion.
It was a rare occasion when the Pakistani and the Azerbaijani nationals mixed with each other exchanged warm greetings. One could even see Deputy Head of Mission, Tamerlan Khalilov and Defence Attache Col Mehman Novruzov along with their spouses receiving guests and taking care of them. The reception turned out to be a mini-festival due to the rich diversity of Azerbaijan’s music, culture, colours, food and above all a pictorial exhibition that recorded various phases of Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship. In the pictures one could see former prime ministers such as Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, presidents Farooq Ahmed Khan Laghari, Mamnoon Hussain, Asif Ali Zardari and others exchanging views with the leadership of Azerbaijan during their visits to either country.
While speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Farhadov said the national leader of Azerbaijan and former president Heydar Aliyev who is father of the current president Ilham Aliyev attached great importance to relations with Pakistan. In fact he was the architect of these ties.
After Azerbaijan’s independence, Pakistan was one of the first states to recognize it as a sovereign nation, he said. On April 9, 1996, Heydar Aliyev paid a three-day official visit to Pakistan and during his stay, several documents were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. “That visit played an irreplaceable role in the development of relations between the two countries,” the ambassador noted.About the National Leader Heydar Aliyev Ambassador Farhadov said Heydar Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923 in Nakhchivan city of Azerbaijan. As 2023 was declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” the his birth anniversary is being marked solemnly in Azerbaijan and abroad.
Every nation, the envoy said, hadgenius 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 and in case of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev was there to rally the nation behind him.
The renaissance and awakening of national consciousness started with Heydar Aliyev’s coming to power, and thanks to him, 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 economic, industrial, agricultural, education, and cultural fields. 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. On 11 October 1998, Heydar Aliyev was re-elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said Ambassador Khazar Farhadov.
He further said that 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.
The current 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 his speech, he once again thanked the Pakistani friends for participating in the celebrations.
