Mehriban Aliyeva as embodiment of kindness and hope

By Anar Alakbarov, the executive director of the Heydar Aliyev Fund

Traditionally, people in the East give children special names, hoping that it will somehow influence their fate. I am not sure whether the tradition lives up to expectations in real life, but acquaintance with Mehriban Aliyeva makes me believe in the essence of this custom. This person, a remarkable personality whose name has been put into modern history, is an ambitious and exemplary authority, an elegant and delicate woman, embodying true oriental beauty. This article serves as a tribute and homage to her.

It would seem that there is nothing easier than to just express an opinion about a person whose multi-faceted and inexhaustible work is covered by mass media both in the country and abroad. Countless articles have been dedicated to her work and achievements. Everyone is trying to understand how Mehriban Aliyev managed to win the hearts of millions of people, regardless of age, nationality and religion. The answer is simple, of course. She is respected and loved for her humane attitude towards everyone around her, care and support for people in need, the ability to show compassion and be nearby when needed. Such terms as kindness, benevolence and compassion are indeed key aspects of Mehriban hanum’s philosophy of life.

Writing about Mehriban Aliyeva, especially expressing an opinion about her, is quite a serious and responsible task. The problem is not in the lack of words to describe righteous and good deeds, it is about fears to miss a delicate detail that would give readers a chance to form their own impression about her. But as a person whose professional job has been closely connected to Mehriban Aliyeva, I decided to share my impressions about her attitude towards her work and surroundings.

She is the president of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, a member of parliament, a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO, the first female goodwill ambassador of ISESCO, president of the Azerbaijani Gymnastic Federation. She is the keeper of the family hearth, a caring daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Mehriban Aliyeva has done a lot in her life, raised three children, become a reliable backer of her husband, an inherent part of the social life of the country, supporting those in need.

Everyone understands that, being the First Lady, Mehriban Aliyev could pay close attention to just one sector or, as First Ladies of many countries, she could have been a simple observer. But that does not suit her principles.

I can say with full responsibility that she has not left a single sector without attention. She supervises projects in education, healthcare, culture, social sector, ecology, sports, etc. All her work, praised by the citizens, has become part of modern Azerbaijani history indeed. Moreover, the status of First Lady only makes her social responsibility greater, and, as she admitted in one of her interviews, obliges her to use all opportunities to improve the efficiency of humanitarian programs for the well-being of people.

The multi-faceted work of Mehriban hanum, focused on protecting the interests of her people, creates a clear image of the role of an Azerbaijani woman in the life of society. Having become a symbol embodying such qualities as humanism and care, she is an example of beauty, kindness and benevolence. Today, Azerbaijani women are rightfully proud of Mehriban Aliyeva, her authority, and take their cues from her. She is the ideal of harmonious, ambitious and strong women capable of realizing themselves in all sectors given by nature, society and personal spiritual needs. Besides, Mehriban hanum is regarded as a leader, a public figure, a reliable supporter, a relative ready to give a helping hand to all people needing it.

Mehriban Aliyev loves her family and worships family traditions. She believes that if her house has relations, mutual support and respect, the rest will settle itself. The union of Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban hanum serves as an example for many. Thanks to her example, national family traditions are being reborn, mutual understanding is improving, attitudes towards children are changing.

Flawless, in terms of protocol, conduct, her silent look and quiet intonations all serve to draw less attention. It does not always work. The flawless appearance and style of the First Lady have long become a model for others. Mehriban Aliyeva is a very interesting person with rich spiritual and intellectual potential. She is a skilled pragmatist with an amazing ability to achieve positive results in everything. She is a person with inexhaustible energy. I would say that faith, optimism and positive energy give every member of her Heydar Aliyev Fund more confidence in the successful conclusion of realized projects. She is a person who can find solutions in any situation, shaking off any doubts and pessimism, with the help of her delicate approach and unique wisdom.

After years of working with her, I realized two simple truths: everything in Mehriban Aliyeva’s work has a time and a place, haste may only do harm to projects; her attentive approach and scrupulous analysis in what may seem to be unimportant details can only be understood after completion of the project. This is why the achievements of the Heydar Aliyev Fund are not just the result of the work of consolidated staff, it is the efforts of a demanding and purposive leader who goes deep into all details, takes part in preparation and realization of events, remaining in close contact with every staff member.

People love her and believe in her because Mehriban Aliyeva revived the traditions of charity and philanthropy in the social life of the public. Mehriban Aliyeva gave people such feelings and abilities as striving for good, compassion, willingness to give a helping hand to people in need. She destroyed the stereotype that all social problems should be resolved solely by the government and encouraged society to assist in resolving them. Showing care for Azerbaijani society, Mehriban Aliyeva backed the Azerbaijani president in his work and care about the future of the country, becoming an innovator in the sector of employment and inviting talented young people to responsible projects. Only after consolidating young staff, state structures, adjusting to modern demands, could young people without work experience find jobs.

Not only people who know Mehriban Aliyeva personally can talk about the deep spiritual world that thrills with its beauty and generosity. Observers from the outside are charmed by the boundless joy she gives people with her attention. It seems sometimes that one glance full of Mehriban hanum’s warmth and care pacifies and gives hope.

Special attention should be paid to her love of children that lack parental care. Mehriban Aliyeva is very sensitive to every problem related to children. She does all she can to save children suffering from illnesses, takes all efforts to allow children to lead a healthy life with their relatives. Children raised without parents in orphanages today are surrounded by care and attention, a family atmosphere has literally been recreated for them.

Her kindness, tenderness, benevolence and love of children has been passed on to her daughters Leyla and Arzu. Their constant visits to orphanages and boarding schools have become the basis for a new tradition of public figures, officials of state structures and international organizations to make regular visits to children’s centers.

I remember the joy, delight and surprise in the eyes of teachers at an orphanage of children with mental and physical disorders when Mehriban hanum was hugging and taking them in her arms like a caring mother during a visit in 2004. Such treatment shocked security officers, who were confused as to whether to let the children come close to the First Lady of Azerbaijan or not. Recordings of her hugging the children with physical disorders caused surprise at first. Today it is the norm, and we have a completely different picture. Following the example of Mehriban hanum, we start to look at children as full-fledged members of society, regardless of their health.

Informing the world public about the historical realities of Azerbaijan, including the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Khojaly Genocide, one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century, and instances of vandalism on the occupied territories are some of the basic goals Mehriban hanum set for the Heydar Aliyev Fund.

Azerbaijani Cultural festivals in different parts of the world, events for the 20th anniversary of the independence of Azerbaijan, diplomatic relations with other countries, the opening of the Azerbaijani Culture Center in Paris, events at the headquarters of the European Parliament and UNESCO, and at the UN headquarters in Geneva have one goal: to strengthen the positions of the country and improve its image in the world arena.

One of Mehriban Aliyeva’s goals is to reconstruct historical and cultural monuments that belong to humanity. The world is thankfully perceiving the information that Azerbaijan, a target of Armenian aggression and vandalism on occupied territories, takes an active part in restoring monuments in the park of the Palace of Versailles, the Islamic art section of the Louvre, the Berlin Castle, the Hall of Philosophers at the Capitoline Museums of Rome and other places.

She is especially sensitive to problems related to the environment, mainly the cutting down of trees. According to her orders, the Fund has prevented cutting of rare trees many times. It is an call for every resident Baku to protect the environment. Mehriban Aliyeva ordered the planting of millions of trees all over the country in 2007. Leyla Aliyeva, vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, the founder and head of the International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA), continues her work and pays special attention to ecological security and informing young people about protection of nature.

One of the priority missions of the First Lady is to present Azerbaijan as it is, a secular, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state where different people and religions have co-existed in friendship and cooperation, mutual respect and trust, where high traditions of tolerance were formed. Within the framework of the Tolerance Address – Azerbaijan project, reconstruction was organized of the Pir Gasan Sanctuary, the Church of Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, Saint Mary Church in Baku, Juma-Mosque in Shemakh, Khazrazi Zeynab Mosque in Ganja to restoration of churches in regions of France, the stained glass of Strasbourg Cathedral from the 14th century, construction of the Duke Vladimir monument in Astrakhan. Restoration of Roman catacombs initiated by Mehriban Aliyeva are seen by the international public as a contribution of the Islamic world to preservation of holy Christian monuments.

Many times I have witnessed how her knowledge of the history and culture of foreign countries shocked guides at world museums. For example, during her latest visit to the Vatican, Mehriban hanum spent two hours talking with restorers of catacombs, getting into the details of their work, surprising everyone, including the officials accompanying her.

The refined taste of Mehriban Aliyeva can be felt in the changing exterior of Baku. Her instructions helped create a harmonious combination of the Eastern and Western architecture styles, preserving the historical appearance of the young capital.

Under her leadership, many significant projects were realized. She contributes to the preservation and presentation of national and cultural values to the world, supports talented athletes, artists, musicians. She restored the health of and gave hope to thousands of people. It is all done to serve people and the Motherland. Her work inspires many to do good deeds, serves to convince the public that such values as benevolence and compassion are enduring.

In conclusion, I would like to note that Azerbaijan became the first country of the East where women were given the right to vote. About a century later, the First Lady presents the Country of Flames as an exemplary image. No wonder the Western press said that activation of the role and value of the institution of the First Lady, for instance, in post-Soviet space was a success of Mehriban Aliyeva’s efforts.

Every Azerbaijani can rightfully be proud of the First Lady, a woman who became a symbol of modern Azerbaijan, an embodiment of kindness and hope.

Every Azerbaijani can rightfully be proud of the First LadyBy Anar Alakbarov, the executive director of the Heydar Aliyev FundTraditionally, people in the East give children special names, hoping that it will somehow influence their fate. I am not sure whether the tradition lives up to expectations in real life, but acquaintance with Mehriban Aliyeva makes me believe in the essence of this custom. This person, a remarkable personality whose name has been put into modern history, is an ambitious and exemplary authority, an elegant and delicate woman, embodying true oriental beauty. This article serves as a tribute and homage to her.It would seem that there is nothing easier than to just express an opinion about a person whose multi-faceted and inexhaustible work is covered by mass media both in the country and abroad. Countless articles have been dedicated to her work and achievements. Everyone is trying to understand how Mehriban Aliyev managed to win the hearts of millions of people, regardless of age, nationality and religion. The answer is simple, of course. She is respected and loved for her humane attitude towards everyone around her, care and support for people in need, the ability to show compassion and be nearby when needed. Such terms as kindness, benevolence and compassion are indeed key aspects of Mehriban hanum’s philosophy of life.Writing about Mehriban Aliyeva, especially expressing an opinion about her, is quite a serious and responsible task. The problem is not in the lack of words to describe righteous and good deeds, it is about fears to miss a delicate detail that would give readers a chance to form their own impression about her. But as a person whose professional job has been closely connected to Mehriban Aliyeva, I decided to share my impressions about her attitude towards her work and surroundings.She is the president of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, a member of parliament, a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO, the first female goodwill ambassador of ISESCO, president of the Azerbaijani Gymnastic Federation. She is the keeper of the family hearth, a caring daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Mehriban Aliyeva has done a lot in her life, raised three children, become a reliable backer of her husband, an inherent part of the social life of the country, supporting those in need.Everyone understands that, being the First Lady, Mehriban Aliyev could pay close attention to just one sector or, as First Ladies of many countries, she could have been a simple observer. But that does not suit her principles.I can say with full responsibility that she has not left a single sector without attention. She supervises projects in education, healthcare, culture, social sector, ecology, sports, etc. All her work, praised by the citizens, has become part of modern Azerbaijani history indeed. Moreover, the status of First Lady only makes her social responsibility greater, and, as she admitted in one of her interviews, obliges her to use all opportunities to improve the efficiency of humanitarian programs for the well-being of people.The multi-faceted work of Mehriban hanum, focused on protecting the interests of her people, creates a clear image of the role of an Azerbaijani woman in the life of society. Having become a symbol embodying such qualities as humanism and care, she is an example of beauty, kindness and benevolence. Today, Azerbaijani women are rightfully proud of Mehriban Aliyeva, her authority, and take their cues from her. She is the ideal of harmonious, ambitious and strong women capable of realizing themselves in all sectors given by nature, society and personal spiritual needs. Besides, Mehriban hanum is regarded as a leader, a public figure, a reliable supporter, a relative ready to give a helping hand to all people needing it.Mehriban Aliyev loves her family and worships family traditions. She believes that if her house has relations, mutual support and respect, the rest will settle itself. The union of Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban hanum serves as an example for many. Thanks to her example, national family traditions are being reborn, mutual understanding is improving, attitudes towards children are changing.Flawless, in terms of protocol, conduct, her silent look and quiet intonations all serve to draw less attention. It does not always work. The flawless appearance and style of the First Lady have long become a model for others. Mehriban Aliyeva is a very interesting person with rich spiritual and intellectual potential. She is a skilled pragmatist with an amazing ability to achieve positive results in everything. She is a person with inexhaustible energy. I would say that faith, optimism and positive energy give every member of her Heydar Aliyev Fund more confidence in the successful conclusion of realized projects. She is a person who can find solutions in any situation, shaking off any doubts and pessimism, with the help of her delicate approach and unique wisdom.After years of working with her, I realized two simple truths: everything in Mehriban Aliyeva’s work has a time and a place, haste may only do harm to projects; her attentive approach and scrupulous analysis in what may seem to be unimportant details can only be understood after completion of the project. This is why the achievements of the Heydar Aliyev Fund are not just the result of the work of consolidated staff, it is the efforts of a demanding and purposive leader who goes deep into all details, takes part in preparation and realization of events, remaining in close contact with every staff member.People love her and believe in her because Mehriban Aliyeva revived the traditions of charity and philanthropy in the social life of the public. Mehriban Aliyeva gave people such feelings and abilities as striving for good, compassion, willingness to give a helping hand to people in need. She destroyed the stereotype that all social problems should be resolved solely by the government and encouraged society to assist in resolving them. Showing care for Azerbaijani society, Mehriban Aliyeva backed the Azerbaijani president in his work and care about the future of the country, becoming an innovator in the sector of employment and inviting talented young people to responsible projects. Only after consolidating young staff, state structures, adjusting to modern demands, could young people without work experience find jobs.Not only people who know Mehriban Aliyeva personally can talk about the deep spiritual world that thrills with its beauty and generosity. Observers from the outside are charmed by the boundless joy she gives people with her attention. It seems sometimes that one glance full of Mehriban hanum’s warmth and care pacifies and gives hope.Special attention should be paid to her love of children that lack parental care. Mehriban Aliyeva is very sensitive to every problem related to children. She does all she can to save children suffering from illnesses, takes all efforts to allow children to lead a healthy life with their relatives. Children raised without parents in orphanages today are surrounded by care and attention, a family atmosphere has literally been recreated for them.Her kindness, tenderness, benevolence and love of children has been passed on to her daughters Leyla and Arzu. Their constant visits to orphanages and boarding schools have become the basis for a new tradition of public figures, officials of state structures and international organizations to make regular visits to children’s centers.I remember the joy, delight and surprise in the eyes of teachers at an orphanage of children with mental and physical disorders when Mehriban hanum was hugging and taking them in her arms like a caring mother during a visit in 2004. Such treatment shocked security officers, who were confused as to whether to let the children come close to the First Lady of Azerbaijan or not. Recordings of her hugging the children with physical disorders caused surprise at first. Today it is the norm, and we have a completely different picture. Following the example of Mehriban hanum, we start to look at children as full-fledged members of society, regardless of their health.Informing the world public about the historical realities of Azerbaijan, including the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Khojaly Genocide, one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century, and instances of vandalism on the occupied territories are some of the basic goals Mehriban hanum set for the Heydar Aliyev Fund.Azerbaijani Cultural festivals in different parts of the world, events for the 20th anniversary of the independence of Azerbaijan, diplomatic relations with other countries, the opening of the Azerbaijani Culture Center in Paris, events at the headquarters of the European Parliament and UNESCO, and at the UN headquarters in Geneva have one goal: to strengthen the positions of the country and improve its image in the world arena.One of Mehriban Aliyeva’s goals is to reconstruct historical and cultural monuments that belong to humanity. The world is thankfully perceiving the information that Azerbaijan, a target of Armenian aggression and vandalism on occupied territories, takes an active part in restoring monuments in the park of the Palace of Versailles, the Islamic art section of the Louvre, the Berlin Castle, the Hall of Philosophers at the Capitoline Museums of Rome and other places.She is especially sensitive to problems related to the environment, mainly the cutting down of trees. According to her orders, the Fund has prevented cutting of rare trees many times. It is an call for every resident Baku to protect the environment. Mehriban Aliyeva ordered the planting of millions of trees all over the country in 2007. Leyla Aliyeva, vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, the founder and head of the International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA), continues her work and pays special attention to ecological security and informing young people about protection of nature.One of the priority missions of the First Lady is to present Azerbaijan as it is, a secular, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state where different people and religions have co-existed in friendship and cooperation, mutual respect and trust, where high traditions of tolerance were formed. Within the framework of the Tolerance Address – Azerbaijan project, reconstruction was organized of the Pir Gasan Sanctuary, the Church of Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, Saint Mary Church in Baku, Juma-Mosque in Shemakh, Khazrazi Zeynab Mosque in Ganja to restoration of churches in regions of France, the stained glass of Strasbourg Cathedral from the 14th century, construction of the Duke Vladimir monument in Astrakhan. Restoration of Roman catacombs initiated by Mehriban Aliyeva are seen by the international public as a contribution of the Islamic world to preservation of holy Christian monuments.Many times I have witnessed how her knowledge of the history and culture of foreign countries shocked guides at world museums. For example, during her latest visit to the Vatican, Mehriban hanum spent two hours talking with restorers of catacombs, getting into the details of their work, surprising everyone, including the officials accompanying her.The refined taste of Mehriban Aliyeva can be felt in the changing exterior of Baku. Her instructions helped create a harmonious combination of the Eastern and Western architecture styles, preserving the historical appearance of the young capital.Under her leadership, many significant projects were realized. She contributes to the preservation and presentation of national and cultural values to the world, supports talented athletes, artists, musicians. She restored the health of and gave hope to thousands of people. It is all done to serve people and the Motherland. Her work inspires many to do good deeds, serves to convince the public that such values as benevolence and compassion are enduring.In conclusion, I would like to note that Azerbaijan became the first country of the East where women were given the right to vote. About a century later, the First Lady presents the Country of Flames as an exemplary image. No wonder the Western press said that activation of the role and value of the institution of the First Lady, for instance, in post-Soviet space was a success of Mehriban Aliyeva’s efforts.Every Azerbaijani can rightfully be proud of the First Lady, a woman who became a symbol of modern Azerbaijan, an embodiment of kindness and ho