Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijan and former President, was commemorated on the 22nd anniversary of his passing with a meaningful program held at Üsküdar University. The event, titled “The Architect of Türkiye–Azerbaijan Brotherhood: Commemoration Night for the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev,” addressed Aliyev’s political legacy, his contributions to Türkiye–Azerbaijan relations, and the historical ties between the two countries.
The program, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of Üsküdar University Main Campus, attracted strong interest from academics and students, led by Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör.
Following the opening speech by political scientist and journalist Ülker Piriyeva, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör took the podium and emphasized that Heydar Aliyev, like Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was an extremely important leader for the Turkish nation.
Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We are brothers, kin, and partners of destiny”
Stating that Heydar Aliyev and Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk were guiding leaders in their peoples’ struggles for freedom and independence, Prof. Güngör noted that both leaders wrote their heroic epics together with their nations. Prof. Güngör said, “One opened the path for Türkiye, and the other opened the path for our Azerbaijani brothers. These two leaders wrote their heroic epics together with their nations on battlefields and in public squares. Heroic stories were written together, and they entered history together.”
Noting that she frequently visits Azerbaijan due to her duties, Prof. Güngör emphasized that the ties between the two countries go beyond similarity and represent true unity, stating, “When we look at our history, we are brothers, kin, and partners of destiny. We are two peoples who have gone through the same struggles and experienced similar pains.”
Stating that the understanding of “one nation, two states” is absolutely accurate, Prof. Güngör highlighted the shared culture and language and noted that the adaptation process of Azerbaijani students in Türkiye is a natural result of this unity.
Emphasizing that universities carry important responsibilities in the age of information, Prof. Güngör underlined that a strong knowledge alliance to be established between universities in Türkiye and Azerbaijan would build the future of both countries on more solid foundations.
Prof. Sevda Asqarova: “Heydar Aliyev is always in our hearts”
Speaking at the program, Prof. Sevda Asqarova, Director of MÜTEM, drew attention to the deep spiritual value Heydar Aliyev holds for the Azerbaijani people. Prof. Asqarova said, “Heydar Aliyev is always remembered with love, respect, and gratitude. He is always in our hearts. Being here on this meaningful night is very precious for us.”
Prof. İbrahim Öztek: “Türkiye and Azerbaijan are like two main arteries of one body”
Also speaking at the event, Prof. İbrahim Öztek, Head of the Department of Pathology at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine and President of the Türkiye–Azerbaijan Strategic Research Center, described Heydar Aliyev as one of the greatest leaders raised by the Turkish nation in the last century.
Stating that Heydar Aliyev rebuilt Azerbaijan during difficult historical periods, Öztek emphasized that Aliyev played a strategic role in strengthening Türkiye–Azerbaijan relations. He noted that energy projects, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway, and military cooperation are concrete examples of Aliyev’s vision, saying, “Türkiye and Azerbaijan are like two main arteries of one body. If one is harmed, the other is affected as well.”
Program concluded with a panel and musical performance
As part of the commemoration night, a panel was held featuring evaluations by Prof. Süleyman Doğan from Yıldız Technical University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Sociology, Prof. Celal Erbay, Dean of Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University Faculty of Law, Prof. Kerem Karabulut, Dean of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and Prof. Okan Yeşilot, Director of Marmara University Institute of Turkic Studies.
The program concluded with the presentation of plaques to the speakers following a musical performance of one of Azerbaijan’s iconic folk songs, “Sarı Gelin,” performed by vocalist Süreyya Eyvazova.