Tehran – The President of the Economic Cooperation Organization Cultural Institute (ECO Cultural Institute) delivered remarks at a ceremony marking Remembrance Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held on 27 September at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tehran.
In his address, titled “Remembrance Day: A Life Devoted to the Homeland – Martyrs Who Made History,” Ambassador Mohammad Hassan paid tribute to the martyrs of the Republic of Azerbaijan who sacrificed their lives for their homeland and expressed his deepest respect and heartfelt sympathy to their families and loved ones.
The President of the ECO Cultural Institute emphasized that remembrance is not merely an act of looking back at the past, but also an expression of gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and a reminder of the responsibility of the living to preserve the values, dignity and aspirations for which their lives were given.
Referring to the spiritual dimension of remembrance, he cited the Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Imran, verse 169, noting that the meaning of a life devoted to a noble cause does not end with death, but continues through the memories, values and aspirations left behind.
Addressing the significance of 27 September 2020, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan recalled the beginning of the 44-day war in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the subsequent establishment of Remembrance Day in honor of the soldiers and officers who lost their lives in defense of the country’s territorial integrity.
He further noted that history is not written only in books, but also in the lives of ordinary people — in the courage of a young soldier, the prayers of a mother, the patience of a family, and the silence that follows the loss of a loved one.
The President of the ECO Cultural Institute stressed that the memory of the martyrs belongs not only to the present generation but also to generations yet to come. He underlined the responsibility of the living to carry this memory forward and to build societies worthy of the sacrifices that have been made.
Referring to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the wider ECO region, he highlighted the importance of values, memories and traditions in bringing people together. He described the ECO region as a land of ancient civilizations, shared memories and deep cultural connections, extending from Anatolia and the Caucasus to Iran, Central Asia and South Asia.
He also emphasized the enduring power of culture to connect peoples across borders and expressed hope that the lessons of history would contribute to greater understanding, stability and peace throughout the region.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan, on behalf of the ECO Cultural Institute and in his own name, expressed his deepest respect to the martyrs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and his heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones.
He concluded by expressing the hope that the memory of the martyrs of the Republic of Azerbaijan would remain eternal and that their sacrifices would always be remembered with respect and gratitude.