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Pakistan Observer highlights Mehriban Aliyevaâ€™s activity

13 August 2011 11:58 (UTC +04:00)

â€œMehriban Aliyeva- was born in the well-known Azerbaijan familyâ€, the article reads. â€œA qualified physician, Mehriban Aliyeva is actively engaged in different spheres of life. Since 1995, through her charitable foundation â€œFriends of Azerbaijan Cultureâ€, she has enlightened the world about the countriesâ€™ cultural wealth, while working to ensure its conservation at national and regional levels through such manifestations as festivals, exhibitions, cultural events and concerts. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, named in commemoration of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, was established on 10th of May, 2004. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, the spouse of the President of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev became a President of the Foundation. The main goal of the foundation is to enhance the social, economic and cultural development in the country and to ensure the implementation of the large-scale projects and programs in the line with Heydar Aliyevâ€™s ideas for progress in Azerbaijan. One of the main targets of Mrs. Aliyevaâ€™s activity is to address the problems of children and support the comprehensive upbringing and education of younger generation. Her commitment and charitable work in this domain include construction of hundreds of new schools, hospitals, clinics, musical lyceums, renovation of orphanages in different spots of Azerbaijan. Thalassemia Centre with free of cost treatment was built in the capital of Azerbaijan in 2007 and the actions, such as donating insulin pens to children with diabetes as well as blood donation actions are realized by the Foundationâ€, Khan said.

â€œThe First Lady is concerned with problems of not only of Azerbaijanis but the other countriesâ€™ children too. A severe earthquake causing heavy human losses and destructions happened in Pakistan on October 8, 2005. It left Muzaffarabad city in ruins and flattened school in Rara settlement. The President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva took the initiative in building the new school for girls, to replace the one, destroyed by the earthquakeâ€, the journalist reminded and added: â€œThe culture is one of the priority spheres of the Foundation. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has initiated the large-scale cultural event in Niagara - â€œDays of Azerbaijani Mughamâ€- which became an exciting event in the cultural life of North America. The President of H.Aliyev Foundation was the initiator and inspirer of the opening the â€œSilk Roadâ€ Committee within the organizational structure of Niagara Festival, the purpose of which is to promote the great music and cultural heritage of the countries lying on the ancient Silk Road, as a symbol of spiritual unity and understanding of humanity. Mrs. Aliyeva is supporting annually the sponsorship of Niagara International Festival which serves a convergence and integration of the cultural riches of the East and West. The foundation has also sponsored the performances of musical compositions of Antonio Vivaldi, George Gershwin in Baku. A Mugham Center, where Mugham festivals are organized annually, was established in Baku in order to promote the traditional classical music of Azerbaijan and Baku Culture Center for holding cultural events has been constructed. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has also funded publication of a number of books on culture, music, history and cuisine of Azerbaijan. What is more, the international festivals, such as Gabala Music Festivals and Baku Ashug folk festivals, are annually organized by foundation. The H.Aliyev Foundation plays a significant role in the development of sport. The winners of Olympic and Para-Olympic Games as well as international championships are awarded monthly stipends and scholarships or other financial incentives. The Second International Chess Festival -â€œPresident Cupâ€, was held in Baku in memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. In 2002 Mrs. Aliyeva was elected the President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation and showed herself as a skilful organizer in that position. Her growing prestige in the international world played an important role in adoption of decision of International Gymnastics Federation on realization of 2003 and 2004 World Cup competitions and 2005 World Championship on Rhythmic Gymnastics in Azerbaijanâ€.

â€œDue to her hard efforts in protection and development of Azerbaijan’s verbal folk literature and music heritage and dedication to the Organizationâ€™s ideals, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the title of Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO on August 13, 2004. The title of Goodwill Ambassador of ISESCO on November 24, 2006 was awarded for the wide-scale and selfless activity in different spheres, including the dialog among civilizations, the attention to the children in need of care, the big support to improvement of their living conditions, education, as well as works carried out in the Islamic world. Mrs. Aliyeva has also received a number of prizes and awards from many other prestigious international organizations for her special services to the global culture, in establishing a permanent cultural and political dialogue between the civilizations of East and Westâ€.

The article was also published by Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies.

http://epaper.pakobserver.net/201108/13foreignviews.php
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=108717
http://jassim-tagui.blogspot.com/2011/08/mehriban-aliyeva-woman-of-substance.html