Azerbaijan day in Doha Blends Culture, Pride, Diplomacy

rki.news
Doha, Qatar. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan marked its National Day with a grand celebration at a local hotel in Doha, attended by high-level dignitaries, diplomats, and guests from diverse backgrounds.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Master of Ceremony Ayseba Umutlu, broadcast journalist with Al Jazeera English, who introduced the distinguished guests in attendance, including:
• H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Transport of Qatar
• H.E. Ibrahim Fakhroo, Head of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• H.E. Mohamed Bahrin Haji Abu Bakar, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam and Dean of the Asian Group
• Mrs. Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan
Ms. Umutlu emphasized the significance of the celebration, calling it a tribute to Azerbaijan’s resilience and cultural heritage. Guests rose for the national anthems of both Qatar and Azerbaijan, followed by the welcome address of H.E. Dr. Adish Mammadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar.
In his speech, Ambassador Mammadov highlighted Azerbaijan’s historic path to independence, beginning with the 1918 establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic—the first secular republic in the Islamic world. He reflected on Azerbaijan’s post-Soviet revival in 1991 and its current position as a strong and independent state with 90 diplomatic missions abroad and robust foreign relations.
He underscored Azerbaijan’s growing role in global energy and trade, noting the Southern Gas Corridor’s significance to Europe’s energy security, and investments in renewable energy and logistics infrastructure, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and new seaport facilities.
“Azerbaijan serves as a vital link between East and West, and we are committed to regional peace, prosperity, and multicultural harmony,” he said, inviting Qatari investors to take part in the reconstruction of liberated territories in Karabakh.
The Ambassador also expressed hopes for a peace agreement with Armenia, stressing Azerbaijan’s vision for coexistence and sustainable development.
In closing, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan-Qatar diplomatic ties, lauding the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for fostering strong bilateral relations.
Following the official speeches, a cake-cutting ceremony took place, and guests were treated to a mesmerizing performance of traditional Azerbaijani music by artists flown in from Baku. The evening concluded with a dinner showcasing Azerbaijan’s rich culinary heritage.
The celebration was a powerful reflection of Azerbaijan’s pride, progress, and enduring friendship with the State of Qatar.