Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbeyli, met with Arshad Salih, Member of the Parliament of Iraq, and Asif Tanveer Awan, Deputy Director of the MUSLIM Institute of Pakistan.

The meeting, held at the Presidium of ANAS, was attended by Acting Vice-President of ANAS, Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva; Director of the Institute of Manuscripts, Academician Teymur Karimli; Head of the Department of Foreign Relations and International Scientific Organizations of the Presidium Administration, Associate Professor Esmira Alirzayeva; Head of Department at the Institute of Literature, Professor Imamverdi Hamidov; Deputy Director for Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Associate Professor Elnur Mustafayev; and other representatives.

During the meeting, Academician Isa Habibbeyli spoke about the importance of relations rooted in shared historical and cultural ties. He particularly emphasized that Kirkuk is connected to Azerbaijan not so much geographically through Türkiye, but rather through profound spiritual, ethnic and cultural bonds that have been preserved for centuries.

The Academician stressed that the people of Kirkuk are regarded in Azerbaijan as a brotherly and kindred people. He noted that research on the history, rich literature and folklore of Kirkuk is being successfully carried out at ANAS. Comprehensive studies in this field are conducted at the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature, the Institute of Folklore, and the Ziya Bunyadov Institute of Oriental Studies, where valuable scholarly works are published and joint international conferences are organized.

Highlighting the universal significance of the literary heritage of the great poet Muhammad Fuzuli, the President of ANAS noted that productive cooperation has been established between Azerbaijani and Kirkuk scholars in studying the poet's legacy. He stated that Fuzuli is held in high esteem and widely admired both in Kirkuk and Pakistan, adding that Turkmen scholars are also conducting extensive research on the heritage of Imadaddin Nasimi.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that Azerbaijan is today recognized as the world's leading scientific centre for Fuzuli and Nasimi studies. He also stated that Turkmen and Azerbaijani researchers draw parallels between Fuzuli's poetry and the works of representatives of classical Turkmen literature, particularly Magtymguly Pyragy, while also conducting in-depth research into the legacy of the distinguished Kirkuk literary scholar Ata Terzibashi.

The President of ANAS also recalled his meetings with the prominent Kirkuk-born researcher, poet and writer Shamsaddin Kuzeci.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also spoke about the friendship and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He recalled that in 2024 ANAS hosted the international scientific conference entitled “Muhammad Fuzuli and Sultan Bahoo: Literary Relations between Azerbaijani and Pakistani Literature,” dedicated to the literary heritage of Muhammad Fuzuli and Sultan Bahoo, noting that the event further strengthened literary ties between the two countries.

Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception, Arshad Salih, Member of the Parliament of Iraq, stated that relations between Azerbaijan and the Iraqi Turkmen community have entered a new stage of development. He described the shared historical values, traditions and customs of the two peoples as an unbreakable spiritual bridge connecting them.

The Kirkuk parliamentarian noted that even during the most difficult and challenging periods in Iraq's history, the Turkmen people preserved their language, culture and identity with great devotion. He stressed that Turkmen and Azerbaijani scholars should further expand their joint research on their shared historical and cultural heritage.

To this end, Arshad Salih proposed organizing another joint international scientific conference dedicated to the literary heritage of Muhammad Fuzuli. He also highlighted the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iraq in student exchange programmes and expressed interest in establishing doctoral-level academic exchanges between ANAS and Iraqi institutions, as well as implementing joint initiatives in this field.

Professor Imamverdi Hamidov noted that he is conducting research on the rich information relating to Azerbaijani culture and science preserved in Arabic-language sources.

Associate Professor Elnur Mustafayev then spoke about the work being carried out at the Institute of Oriental Studies on the study of the Iraqi Turkmen heritage.

In his remarks, Asif Tanveer Awan, Deputy Director of the MUSLIM Institute of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in various strategic fields, particularly in science and education. He noted that thanks to the close cooperation established with ANAS, their institution has become better known in Azerbaijan. The guest also expressed his affection for Azerbaijan by reciting poems.

Asif Tanveer Awan announced that a new book on the legacy of Sultan Bahoo will soon be published in Pakistan and that official presentation ceremonies will be held both in Baku and Pakistan. He invited Academician Isa Habibbeyli to attend these events.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a commemorative photograph was taken, and President of ANAS Academician Isa Habibbeyli presented the guests with elegantly designed books dedicated to Karabakh.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

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