Rally of Opposition Parties at Rasulzadeh’s Monument

The representatives and supporters of several opposition parties held a rally at the monument to the founder of the Azerbaijan People's Republic (APR, 1918-20) Mamed Emin Rasulzade in the Novkhani settlement. The event was held to mark the 132^nd anniversary of Rasulzade’s birth.

The action was attended by activists and supporters of the parties Musavat, Classic Popular Front, Bozgurd (Gray Wolf), etc., as well as residents of the village Novkhani.

The protesters made a remembrance procession from the main highway to the park in Novkhani, where the monument to Rasulzadeh is located.

"Today is a holiday for those who created our state and restored it," the head of the party Classic Popular Front Mirmahmud Miralioglu said at the opening of the rally.

At the same time he criticized the Azerbaijani authorities for belittling Rasulzadeh’s role in the history of Azerbaijan.

"Shame on those who swear to Azerbaijan’s flag, create a Flag Square, but not put Rasulzadeh’s historical statement about the flag (Once Hoisted Flag Will Never Fall) on this complex," said Miralioglu.

The leader of Musavat Arif Hajili expressed his conviction that Rasulzade’s ideals of Azerbaijan as an independent and really democratic state will come true.

The researcher of Rasulzadeh’s ideological heritage Nasiman Yagublu noted that Rasulzade was fighting not only for freedom of the Azerbaijani nation, but also was a recognized leader of the struggle for the liberation of other nations oppressed by the Soviet regime.

According to the head of the National Center for Strategic Thought Isa Gambar, in the history of Azerbaijan there was no second person equal to Rasulzadeh in contribution to the creation of the Azerbaijani statehood, the struggle for freedom and democratic future for the Azerbaijani people.

"There have always been those who wanted to create obstacles on this path (to independence and democracy in Azerbaijan). But there were also great personalities that continued this way. And we will continue this way. This historical process cannot be stopped," said Gambar.

Rasulzadeh was born in a clergy family in the village of Novkhani in the vicinity of Baku on January 31, 1884. From his young age Rasulzadeh was actively involved in political activities. In 1911 he founded the party Musavat.

On May 28, 1918 the National Council led by Rasulzadeh proclaimed the independence of Azerbaijan.

In April 1920 the Bolsheviks occupied Azerbaijan, after which Rasulzadeh was subjected to harassment and arrest, and later emigrated. On March 5, 1955 Rasulzadeh died in Ankara and was buried there. -05C06--