Azerbaijan’s National Leader, former President Heydar Aliyev, was commemorated at Üsküdar University with a meaningful program on the 22nd anniversary of his passing. At the event held under the title “The Architect of Turkey-Azerbaijan Brotherhood: Great Leader Heydar Aliyev Commemoration Night,” Aliyev’s political legacy, his contributions to Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, and the historical ties between the two countries were discussed.
The program, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of Üsküdar University’s Central Campus, attracted significant interest from academics and students, especially Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör.
Following the opening speech by political scientist and journalist Ülker Piriyeva, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, who took the podium, emphasized that Heydar Aliyev, like Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was an extremely important leader for the Turkish nation.
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “We are brothers, kinsmen, and partners in destiny”
Prof. Dr. Güngör stated that Heydar Aliyev and Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk were pioneering leaders in their peoples' struggle for freedom and independence, and expressed that both leaders wrote an epic of heroism together with their nations. Güngör said: “One paved the way for Turkey, and the other for our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters. These two leaders wrote an epic of heroism together with their nations on the battlefields and in public squares. Heroic stories were written together, and they entered history together.”
Güngör, stating that she frequently visited Azerbaijan due to her duties, emphasized that the ties between the two countries are more than just a resemblance, but a unity; “When we look at our history, we are not only brothers, but also kinsmen and partners in 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 correct, Güngör, emphasizing the common culture and language, expressed that the adaptation process of Azerbaijani students to Turkey is a natural result of this unity.
Prof. Dr. Güngör noted that universities have important responsibilities in the age of information, and emphasized that a strong knowledge alliance to be established between Turkish and Azerbaijani universities would build the future of the two countries on more solid foundations.
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova: “Heydar Aliyev is always in our hearts”
Speaking at the program, MÜTEM Director Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova drew attention to the deep spiritual value Heydar Aliyev holds for the Azerbaijani people. 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 to us.”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek: “Turkey and Azerbaijan are like the two carotid arteries of one body”
Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, Head of the Pathology Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine and Head of the Turkey-Azerbaijan Strategic Research Center, described Heydar Aliyev as one of the greatest leaders raised by the Turkish nation in the last century.
Öztek stated that Heydar Aliyev revived Azerbaijan during challenging historical processes, and emphasized that he played a strategic role in strengthening Turkey-Azerbaijan relations. Öztek, stating that energy projects, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, and military cooperations are concrete examples of Aliyev's vision, said; “Turkey and Azerbaijan are like the two carotid arteries of one body. If one is harmed, the other is also affected.”
The program concluded with a panel and music recital
At the panel held as part of the commemoration night; Prof. Dr. Süleyman Doğan, Faculty Member of the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yıldız Technical University, Prof. Dr. Celal Erbay, Dean of the Faculty of Law, İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University, Prof. Dr. Kerem Karabulut, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, and Prof. Dr. Okan Yeşilot, Director of the Institute of Turkic Studies, Marmara University, made evaluations.
The program concluded after vocalist Süreyya Eyvazova performed “Sarı Gelin,” one of Azerbaijan’s iconic folk songs, and plaques were presented to the speakers.