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The Azerbaijani judo family is again experiencing great joy and pride. We are doubly happy to be the “Judo Club 2012” team! The activity of the club, Zelim gizil gizilimizsoyev, one of our most talented Collective, the head of the United Arab Emirates 0, won a medal in the -1 kg weight category at the world championship held in Abu Dhabi, and in this prestigious competition, he succeeded in creating the Azerbaijan flag and singing our National Anthem.
The First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated Zelim on the occasion of this great president. Thank you, dear lady. It is the state care for sports, all kinds of conditions of Mr. President Ilham Aliyev in this field that inspire the leaders of the country to achieve great achievements.
I would like to emphasize that Zelim prepared high perseverance and moral and psychological preparation for the world championship. On the way to the final, he managed to increase the strongest judoka in the world. He fought like a knight and won without being removed from anyone’s name and fame.
Zelim Kotsoyev will go to the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games as the leader of the rating table of his weight, and we believe that he will perform successfully at the Olympics.
I also heartily congratulate our dear friend Elkhan Mammadov, who played a special role in its organization, who won the world championship 11 years ago and wrote on the golden page of Azerbaijan’s judo history!
Zelim, we are proud of you, we are waiting for new forces!
Azer Askerov
Hidayat Heydarov, one of the pioneers of modern Azerbaijani judo, won a gold medal at the world championship held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and gave us great joy and pride. The last time this gold was brought to our country 11 years ago by our friend Elkhan Mammadov, who is now a judo veteran…
Today, Hidayat is at the peak of his sports career: he is a four-time European champion, and he is the first in the world ranking in his weight class! First of all, his personal coach, the living legend of Azerbaijani judo Tarlan Hasanov, has an exceptional role in his success. I heartily congratulate my dear teacher on the great victory of his young student.
I know that Mr. Tarlan expects an Olympic championship from Hidayat, and I would very much like his dream to come true.
And I must mention that it is the irreplaceable care and attention of the Honorable President Mr. Ilham Aliyev that inspires Azerbaijani athletes to raise our national flag and sing our Anthem by winning prestigious international competitions. Such attention and care has a strong influence on the establishment of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation at a high level and on the development of this popular sport in our country.
Once again, I congratulate Hidayat Heydarov on becoming the world champion, I wish him new successes and victories! Young friend, we imagine you on the first step of the Olympic podium!
Azer Askerov
The International Mugham Centre has hosted an official award ceremony for winners of the 2nd National Television Festival of Sports Films and Programs, established by the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Azernews reports.
At the event, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade, General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee Azer Aliyev, the chairman of the festival’s jury Zemfira Meftakhetdinova, chairman of the Judo Club 2012 Public Union, President of the Association of Azerbaijan Judo Veterans, the winner of the world and European championships among master judokas Azer Asgarov, member of the Executive Committee of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, members of the NOC Executive Committee and the jury of the festival, Olympic champions, heads of sports federations and television channels, well-known athletes, and public figures participated in the awarding ceremony.
NOC Vice President Chingiz Huseynzade, who spoke at the ceremony, greeted the guests and stressed the importance of the festival. He pointed out that the National Television Festival of Sports Films and Programs dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee was established in 2022 for the first time.
“When we organised the festival for the first time, we did not know whether this festival would continue in the future or not. Today, the numbers were announced. If 40 videos were presented at the first festival, 58 videos were presented at this festival. This means that the festival is alive, and we have gathered for its conclusion. This festival is of great importance for the promotion of sports in Azerbaijan. I have a wish that, after some time, we will bring this festival to an international level. I am sure that we will achieve this. I congratulate the winners of the festival and wish them success in their future activities,” he said.
The winners in various categories of the festival were awarded cash prizes provided by the festival partner – the Azerbaijani Cinematographers’ Union.
The winner of the “Advertising and Promo reels” nomination was the “Shine like a Star” commercial presented by the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation.
The Azerbaijan Judo Federation’s (ACF) promotional video “Future of Our Judo” won in the “Future Winners” category.
ACF achieved another success at the festival in the nomination “Gentle Hero” – with the promotional video “White Suits Girls”.
Idman TV’s TV movie “Unknown Man Zuleykha Hajiyeva” took first place in the “For Life – Sports” nomination.
The documentary film “Victory is Just Faith,” screened by the “90plus” media organisation, won the “Strong-willed” nomination by the Jury.
Special awards from the organising committee of the festival were also presented at the ceremony.
The “Kickboxing” documentary (Sports TV) and the “Kids Athletics” promotional video (Azerbaijan Athletics Federation) were distinguished in the “Future winners” category. “12 seconds” (Azerbaijan Shooting Federation) and “March 8 – International Women’s Day” (Azerbaijan Judo Federation) promotional videos were awarded a special award in the category of advertising and promo video. “Znay nashik” television movie (Azerbaijan National Representation of MIR Interstate Television Company) in the strong-willed nomination, Miraga Aliyev’s short film “Golden glove – Agajan Abiyev” in the “For Life – Sports” nomination, “Delicate Mission” television movie (“Idman TV ») won the sympathy of the jury in the “Gentle Hero” nomination.
Special awards of Judo Club 2012 Public Union were also presented at the event.
“Strong-willed” television movie “Fateh” (Idman TV), “Contribution of the Great Leader to Azerbaijani sports” television movie (CBC International), “Gentle Hero” television project “Happy Mornings – Shusha Children’s Youth Sports School” in the nomination “Strong-willed” (Khazar Media Center), “We are strong together” commercial (DMS Azerbaijan LLC) in the “Advertising and promo reel” nomination, “Veteran judoka – Farhad Rajabli” in the “For Life – Sports” nomination, promotional reel (MIR Interstate Television and Radio Company Azerbaijan National Representation) was awarded a special award.
During the event, the participants who were awarded special prizes of the National Olympic Committee were also honored.
Thus, in the “Strong-willed” nomination, “Towards Olympus” – Nikita Simonov’s short film (ARB 24) and the television film “Sports Masters” (Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint Stock Company), in the “Future Winners” nomination, “Heavy in Lankaran” athletic lessons” promotional video (Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation), “Rowing from Karabakh to the capital” promotional video (Azerbaijan Canoe and Rowing Federation) in the “Advertising and Promo video” nomination (Azerbaijan Canoe and Rowing Federation), “The Way of Perfection” documentary film in the “For Life – Sports” nomination (Azerbaijan Judo Federation ), promotional video “Push – Elnara Abbasova” (Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation) was awarded a special prize in the “Gentle hero” category.
The awarding ceremony also featured performances by the guests and partners of the festival and a musical program.
Established by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 2022, the festival was first held in 2022 to mark the 30th National Olympic Committee.
The festival aims to popularize various sports, promote a healthy lifestyle, attract children, adolescents, and young people to sports, promote the principles of the Olympic movement, create opportunities for cultural education and a full exchange of experiences between creative people, as well as organise film screenings and sports-themed programs, ensuring wide access to local television and film cultural assets of all sectors of society.
The festival partner is the NGO Judo Club 2012. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az, Turkic World, and Idman.Biz, as well as AZTV, AZTV Idman, CBC SPORT, ARB, SPACE, Olympic.az, OlimpiyaDünyası, Sportsman.
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With the advent of Holy Ramadan, we enter a blessed month full of mercy, compassion, and spiritual renewal. This is a time when our faith deepens, we get closer to God, and we strive for perfection. Overcoming our ego, showing generosity to those in need, and earning the reward of every day through worship and prayers are the important virtues of Ramadan.
The traditions of this holy month, founded by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), are preserved and implemented in our country. Fasting is a symbol of spiritual purification, faith, and revival for all of us. After all, fasting is not only about giving up all bad habits and forbidden things. It has a deep meaning: by fulfilling the requirements of fasting, a person accustoms himself to good deeds throughout his life.
In this blessed month, we pray that our unity and solidarity will strengthen us and that Ramadan will bring us peace, joy, and prosperity.
According to tradition, in this month, which is considered holy for every Muslim, characteristics such as mercy, charity, forgiveness, and helping the poor are more clearly manifested.
Ramadan holiday is marked by the end of the holy month in which we fast. Eid starts at sunset on the last day of Ramadan and continues until the evening of the next day. Muslims congratulate each other, give gifts, and are sure that the coming year will be even more successful, full of happiness, prosperity, and joy, inshallah!
Happy Ramadan!
May God Almighty accept our prayers for the further strengthening of our state, unity, prosperity, spiritual wealth, inner peace, and well-being of our people! Amen!
Azer Askerov
The people of Azerbaijan have never and will never forget the bloody pages of their history, and the crimes of genocide they suffered… The brutal killing of tens of thousands of people by Armenian nationalists in Baku and other territories in March-April 1918 was not only against our people but against humanity in general…
In the subsequent period, Armenia carried out a policy of ethnic hatred and intolerance against Azerbaijanis, as well as deportation, and continued the crimes of genocide in the territories it temporarily occupied in Karabakh at the end of the last century. In Khojaly, Baganis-Ayrym, Garadaghli, Malibeyli, Kalbajar, and other settlements, the mass massacres and merciless genocide committed by Armenian bandits against the civilian population have been forever etched in the memory of history.
In the mighty state of Azerbaijan, our glorious army took the blood of our compatriots who lost their lives in the crimes of genocide on the battlefield. Today, the proud waving of our tricolor flag in every corner of our territories freed from occupation makes the spirit of the genocide victims and all our martyrs happy and is the embodiment of respect for their memory.
Although we were subjected to genocide in different periods of history, unlike the Armenians, we have never described ourselves as a miserable, suffering nation, we have preserved our national pride with our militancy and struggle, and therefore we have won the Patriotic War.
I honor the memory of the victims of the genocide and pray for God’s mercy on them.
Azer Askerov
Winter gives life to spring: spring comes to our country and together with it, the Novruz holiday, which is a symbol of the beginning of the new year, is celebrated by our people with special joy and warmth.
Significantly, Nowruz coincides with the holy month of Ramadan this year: this month is the month of worship, obedience, and prayer to God. Since Ramadan is also the month of divine mercy, there are no restrictions on the celebration of Novruz. Those who do not fast are not condemned, as fasting is the duty of every healthy Muslim.
The Nowruz holiday is celebrated by relatives and friends in every house. Preparation for the holiday begins long before its arrival. Women prepare various dishes and oriental sweets. Traditionally, fairs for the sale of gifts and various blessings are held, hand parties are organized…
One of the main traditions of Nowruz is the presence of seven blessings whose names begin with the letter “s” on the festive table, each of which symbolizes things that are considered important for a person: life, health, strength, wisdom, longevity, prosperity, and joy. The meaning of this custom is very deep as if the foundation of future prosperity and well-being is being laid.
Preparation for the holiday begins with Wednesdays: three of them – Wednesdays of water, fire, and wind – have already passed, and the next one – Wednesday of earth – is coming. Festive celebrations, dances, songs, and national games create an atmosphere of joy and fun in our cities and villages. Novruz is a time when people forget their daily worries and enjoy communication with their loved ones.
Thus, Novruz in Azerbaijan is not just a holiday, but an opportunity for people to meet, share their joys, and wish each other happiness, health, and prosperity.
Happy holiday!
Azer Askerov
Dear women! I congratulate you on the most beautiful and elegant holiday – March 8 International Women’s Day!
There are different versions of how the tradition of celebrating Women’s Day as a holiday arose. I don’t care what is said about it. But it’s good that this holiday exists, it’s good that it was thought of and found, and it’s good that it’s celebrated with love and joy all over the world. The reason for this is known: in the center of attention, regardless of age and social status, attractive, sensitive, beautiful, kind, gentle, charming, and beautiful WOMAN stands.
Dear women, you are our source of inspiration, our family heart, comfort, happiness, and support!
Your kind heart brings light and joy to the world. Thank you for your loyalty, care, and love. Grandmothers, mothers, spouses, sisters, daughters, and grandchildren – each of you is priceless and precious to us. You make our life beautiful and meaningful, you protect the warmth of our hearts, and the traditions of our people that have been going on for centuries.
Let March 8 Women’s Day be full of pleasant impressions and surprises for you, joy in your eyes, and a smile on your face!
I wish you good health, a good mood, and happiness!
Azer Askerov
On February 26, we honor the memory of the victims of the bloody tragedy that took place in Khojaly in 1992. Many years have passed since this terrible event. But it is impossible to forget the brutal crime committed against the residents of a small town in Karabakh. Genocide against the civilian population was carried out by Armenian bandits with the support of the 366th motorized rifle regiment of the former USSR Armed Forces, which consisted mainly of Armenians. That day will remain forever in the memory of not only the people of Azerbaijan, but the entire humanity as a symbol of inhuman violence, terror, and terrible genocide.
Khojaly was a mysterious, peaceful city inhabited by Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. However, peaceful life here was deliberately destroyed by Armenian separatists. Defenseless women, children, and the elderly were mercilessly shot by Armenian gangs and soldiers of the 366th regiment.
The statistics of massacre victims indicate the inhuman treatment of the Armenians towards the Azerbaijani population of the region. 613 people were killed during the Khojaly genocide; 106 of them were women, 63 were young children, and 70 were elderly. 8 families were destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one of their parents. 1000 people were disabled. 1275 civilians were captured, the fate of 150 of them is still unknown.
We will not forget and forgive the murderers!
Today, we honor the memory of the victims of the genocide under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, in a situation where the brave Azerbaijani Army liberated all the occupied lands, including Khojaly. Our Victory over the enemy, the Azerbaijani flag raised in the cities and villages of Karabakh is our response to the sufferings and losses of the past years, a symbol of the revenge for each of the innocent victims of the Khojaly genocide.
The memory of Khojaly will always remind us of the need to fight for peace and justice. And so that such terrible events do not happen again, we must not forget the lessons of those years and draw the right conclusions.
Residents of Khojaly, who were forced to leave their homeland 32 years ago, will begin to return to their ancestral homes in newly built houses this year. Life will return to its usual peaceful course, and years and decades will pass… Yes, we must live…
But we must not forget the genocide so that it does not happen again.
The pain of Khojaly is forever in our hearts.
Azer Askerov
The day we, the citizens of Azerbaijan, elected the President of the country for the next 7 years – February 7, 2024 – will go down in history as the day of national voting for the sake of security and stability, development and progress. And when we voted for Ilham Aliyev, we were sure that we were voting for a leader who showed an example of courageous leadership in a situation where we are faced with the double standards policy of some countries, for the further strengthening and prosperity of our country.
Election day became a significant event in our social and political life. This was the real victory day of the acting head of our state. Personally, I have never seen so many voters come to vote on election day. I must admit that I felt a sense of pride for our nation, its leader, and our country from the sight I saw on my way to the polling station in high spirits.
The most pleasant and surprising thing was that after the announcement of the preliminary results of the vote, the people literally poured into the streets. At night, there was a real national celebration everywhere in Azerbaijan: on the streets of Baku, Ganja, Shusha and other cities of our country, cars with flags were honking, music was playing everywhere, people were dancing.
As a sign of respect and gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, the people expressed their love like this, and rejoiced at his victory in the elections.
I remember three events where I saw such national joy: in April 2016, the myth of the invincibility of the Armenian occupying army was destroyed and a part of our territories were liberated; After the glorious victory in the 44-day war in 2020 and the complete liberation of all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan from the Armenian aggressors, as well as the announcement of the preliminary results of the elections on the evening of February 7 this year…
Giving national support to Ilham Aliyev in the elections held on February 7 is a proof of our great faith, gratitude and infinite trust in his wise policy, strategic programs and projects that paved the way for modern achievements of Azerbaijan in all fields.
Everyone in our country and all over the world knows how Azerbaijan has changed in recent years. Continuing the course of development defined by the great leader Heydar Aliyev, Ilham Aliyev implemented changes and reforms that allowed strengthening the foundations of statehood and modernizing many areas of the economy. During these years, thanks to his dedication, determination, high political culture and ability to listen to the voice of the people, a strong state with influence in the world of politics and economy was established. I would especially like to mention Ilham Aliyev’s principled and independent political decisions aimed at ensuring the security and stable development of the Motherland, which have won the full support of the people of Azerbaijan, and his uncompromising position on the protection of the country’s territorial integrity. The votes we cast in the current elections clearly prove once again that we all stand shoulder to shoulder with the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev and are ready to face all kinds of challenges with him.
In the congratulations addressed to Ilham Aliyev by heads of state and heads of international organizations from different countries of the world, on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential elections, his high political influence, public support for the continuous socio-economic development of Azerbaijan are sincerely acknowledged, and good wishes are expressed to our President…
I consider February 7, 2024 as the day of celebration and gratitude of the people’s faith in their leader – President Ilham Aliyev!
Azer Askerov
