Azerbaijani First Lady celebrates birthday

Mehriban Aliyeva was born into a famous family in Azerbaijan. Her father, Arif Pashayev, is an academic at the National Academy of Sciences and holds a PhD in physics and mathematics. He is the Rector of the National Academy of Aviation in Baku.

Her mother, Aida Imanguliyeva, was an Orientalist, PhD in Philological Sciences, Professor and Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences, and specialist in Arabic literature.

In 1982, Mehriban Aliyeva graduated from Secondary Public School No. 23 in Baku, receiving a gold medal for the successful completion of her studies. A few months later she was admitted to the Nariman Narimanov Azerbaijan State Medical University and later continued her studies at the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, from where she graduated with an honorary diploma in 1988. In 1988-1992 Mehriban Aliyeva worked at the Moscow Scientific Research Institute for Eye Diseases.

In the mid-1990s, Mehriban Aliyeva established the Friends of Azerbaijani Culture Foundation, which she currently heads and which publishes the "Azerbaijan-IRS" (Azerbaijan-Heritage) magazine in three languages, including Azerbaijani, English and Russian, to widely popularize Azerbaijani culture.

Mehriban Aliyeva established the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on May 10 in 2004. Its goal is to study the rich heritage of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, to train new generations in the spirit of the ideas of national statehood created by him, implement programs and projects in the sphere of science, education, culture, health, sport and ecology, contribute to the restoration of religious tolerance, establish a civil society and preserve national and moral values in the process of integration and worldwide globalization. With the status of First Lady while working in the Foundation Mehriban khanum is able to regulate the work, to expand the scale of projects and to draw extra resources for their achievement.

To promote and publicize Azerbaijani culture, upon the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Baku hosted the International Mugam Festival in March 2009. In addition, in mid-August Gabala hosted a contest for young pianists as part of the International Music Festival.

The Foundation successfully implements projects outside of Azerbaijan, with its offices in Russia and Romania. One of its successful projects was the swift reconstruction of a secondary school building for girls in Pakistan in place of the old one, which had been destroyed by an earthquake.

The Foundation participates in the restoration of universal cultural monuments. Thus, the Foundation restored two monuments included in the World Heritage List, damaged with time and by climatic conditions, in the park of Versailles Palace in Paris. It has restored many mosques, synagogues and churches in Azerbaijan.

Mehriban Aliyeva is committed to the use of all available opportunities to enhance the efficiency of such humanitarian programs, the purpose of which is benefit to the Azerbaijani people.

One of the priorities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is to draw the international community's attention to the realities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Among the implemented projects, it is necessary to mention the publication of a collection of "Karabakh Realities" booklets, reflecting the history of the Armenian aggression, books entitled "War and Our Cultural and Historical Monuments" and "War Against Azerbaijan: Targeting Cultural Heritage", recounting Armenian destruction. Moreover, the Foundation has held events and photo and video exhibitions in various countries on the Khojali genocide.

In August 2004, Mehriban Aliyeva became a designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for promoting national literature and the musical heritage of Azerbaijan. Two years later, she was conferred with the title of ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Goodwill Ambassador for extensive and selfless activity in various fields, including inter-cultural dialogue, attention to children in need of special care and support for improving living conditions and education.

To be ambassador for such authoritative international organizations is a very honorable and responsible mission. Both UNESCO and ISESCO are non-political institutions, as is written in their charter. And at the same time, this is an international arena in which Mehriban Aliyeva represents her country.

This is an opportunity to introduce modern Azerbaijan and its people with the most profound historical and cultural roots, and to inform the world about the achievements of national art, music, and literature.

Azerbaijan is a modern secular Muslim state. Representatives of various religions comfortably coexist in the country and there are no problems on an ethnic or sectarian basis.

Mehriban Aliyeva's task as goodwill ambassador is to show the opportunities of the Islamic world through science, culture, and education and to demonstrate how the West and the East, two very different civilizations, could be interesting and helpful to each other.

In 2005, the First Lady was awarded the order of the "Ruby Cross" from the International Charitable Foundation "Maecenas of the Century" for her public support and charity activities, considerable contribution to the support of educational and cultural institutions and strengthening friendships between the peoples of Russia and Azerbaijan. The World Health Organization (WHO) gave Mehriban Aliyeva an award "for the exceptional services in protecting and strengthening the health of mother, child and family". For her charitable activities and the outstanding achievements in services to the highest ideals of humanity, Mehriban Aliyeva was honored an International award the "Gold Heart" in 2007.

But along with this, Mehriban Aliyeva's broad activity has not been limited. In 2002 Mehriban Aliyeva was elected the President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, demonstrating herself as an excellent organizer. Her authority has played a crucial role in making decisions on holding the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2003 and 2004 and the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in 2005.

The Azerbaijani national rhythmic gymnastics team has gained international recognition, and Azerbaijani gymnasts take the leading places at international events. Baku is a frequent host of international competitions. In May 2009, the Azerbaijani capital hosted guests of the 25th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships.

In 2005, Mehriban Aliyeva received a PhD in Philosophy. In the same year, she was elected a member of Azerbaijani Parliament.

Mrs. Mehriban has two daughters, Leyla and Arzu, a son, Heydar, and two grandchildren, Mikayil and Ali.

/Trend News/