ISSUE 10

her poems in Turkish Azeri. Could they refute it? Armenian ashigs (bards) living in XVIII - XIX centuries in western Azerbaijan created their works, poems, songs in our language. Is there any Azeri poet, ashig writing in Armenian?!
Of cause, economic crisis in my country, worsening of life level of people, unemployment, etc are very painful problems for me. However, I hope, that resolution of Garabagh problem will entail resolution of above-mentioned problems as well. Certainly, we must liberate Garabagh. We have lost not only our lands, but also our spirit. Because of Garabagh is Azeri cradle of music and culture. Now, this cradle, motherland of Uzeyir bey (U.Hajibeyov), is occupied by barbarians. We have to do everything we can to have Garabagh back. I am standing for peace. However, if we could not persuade Armenians peacefully, war will be unavoidable.

- What steps have to be taken in order to keep national consciousness, patriotic feelings awake? Who is responsible for such kind of work ?
Very good question. Unfortunately, work on upbringing of national patriotic feelings is very slow here. Most influential method to awake national consciousness is agitation. A child should be educated in the spirit of national culture, tradition, and patriotic feelings in order to grow up as a citizen allegiant to these values. A person, not familiar with history, culture, not speaking own language, could not know very well, love the Motherland. Our compatriots in our country, in Southern Azerbaijan, abroad shall pay great attention and efforts to this issue. I wish, our TV and radio channels, newspapers and magazines to pay special attention to it, because growing of real, worthy citizen is not only government, state's obligation. Non-governmental organizations, intelligentsia shall do everything they can in this direction. All of them are responsible for implementation of this historical mission.
Our compatriots living in Southern Azerbaijan as well as in other countries shall pay great attention to schools and education in total in national language. I would like to mention that in Iran Azeri Turks are highly influenced by Persian language. They speak Turkish Azeri, but using Persian grammar. When Javad Heyat started edition of "Varlig" magazine, he had been caviled and asked, why does he use Baku dialect. Whereas, he was writing in pure Turkish Azeri cleaned from Persian… The root of such tragic is in ignorance, absence of schools. I hope, Southern Azerbaijan will get cultural autonomy one day. Opening schools, edition of journals, newspapers in national language partially could solve this problem.
Our compatriots living abroad should consider this issue at the most serious. Their children should know their native language, should be familiar with national culture. I repeat again, schools, education are needed in order to achieve this goal.

I would like to say few words about religion. During Soviet times, we were bereaved of religion. Via anti-religious agitation, we were moved off religion. Nevertheless, I would like to stress that Azeri spirit is much linked to Islam. I cannot imagine Azerbaijan without deep-rooted Islamic spiritual values. Soviets tried a lot to move us off religion. Can you tell, what is bad about Islam? Does not Islam tell us to be honest, benevolent, sober, fair, faithful? Aren't these common values? That is why, I stress that religious factor is very important for keeping patriotic feelings awake. Our ancestors being allegiant to religion was allegiant to their motherland. One of stripes of our flag represents Islam. Javad khan in the month of Ramazan, fasting, and saying "Allahu-Akbar" was killed during defensive warfare in Ganja. Do we know more than our forefathers did if move far away from our religion ?
Several times I have made a proposal to introduce new subject in school educational programme, to teach basics of religion, holy writs to children.

- How do you imagine national unity of Azeris of the world? What this unity, solidarity shall be based on? What would you like to wish to our compatriots ?
In all times, the main separating factor for our nation was many-many decentralised states appeared here. Territory was divided into khanligs (small kingdoms), khanligs - into cities, villages, and villages - into estates. There was great animosity among them. We have to avoid previous mistakes in order to avoid previous defeats and yokes. There are a lot of values uniting us: our language, religion, culture and our common Motherland. Isn't it a reason to unite? We are looking for a fundament on which we can unite. I think, symbols represented by the flag of Azerbaijan are sufficient: Turkic spirit, Contemporaneity and Islam. In 1918, our forefathers could unite with these values and building our national statehood they achieved great progress and success. What are we waiting for? Now, I am calling my compatriots to unite under our flag.
We have to rely on each other; we have to know each other in order to consolidate. Therefore, visits to Azerbaijan, from Azerbaijan to other countries, acquaintance with each other should develop. Using an opportunity Azeris living abroad should visit their historical land as a sacred land. There is only Motherland we have - Azerbaijan. Each Azeri should do his/her moral duty in front of the Motherland. Those who live here shall do everything for the prosperity of our country; those who live abroad shall support the Motherland by establishing strong Diaspora.
In conclusion, I shall call everybody to unite, consolidate for the common goal. I very thank you, Sahil Research Group, for such important deeds.