Illinois Hosts Gathering with Azerbaijani Community Led by Chairman of Azerbaijan Diaspora Committee.
In a pivotal gathering, Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, engaged with the Azerbaijani community in Illinois, USA. The event commenced with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and the United States, followed by a solemn moment of silence to honor the martyrs who valiantly defended Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Farid Mammadov and Mehriban Mammadova, esteemed founders of the Azerbaijan Center of Midwest America (ACMA), formally welcomed the distinguished attendees. Mehriban Mammadova delivered a compelling address, outlining the Center’s strategic initiatives aimed at expanding the influence of the Azerbaijani community in the United States. She highlighted the community’s progression toward becoming a significant “soft power” and emphasized the importance of fostering deeper connections and cultural integration within the diaspora.
Chairman Fuad Muradov provided a comprehensive overview of the diaspora policies championed under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. He emphasized the critical role of coordination councils, the establishment of Azerbaijani Houses, and the development of weekend schools dedicated to preserving Azerbaijani culture and language. Additionally, he discussed the success of the Committee’s large-scale initiatives, including the 5th Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth, recently held in Lachin, which garnered widespread participation and enthusiasm from Azerbaijani youth worldwide.
The meeting was further enriched by the presence of Engin Tures, Turkish Consul General in Chicago, who underscored the significance of collaborative efforts between Azerbaijani and Turkish diaspora communities, promoting unity and shared goals.
Nargiz Habibova, leader of the Midwest Azerbaijani Student Alliance, provided valuable insights into the organization’s efforts to connect Azerbaijani students across the United States. She stressed the importance of leveraging social media for networking and outlined the Alliance’s ambitious objectives to foster stronger ties within the student community.
Throughout the event, participants expressed their deep pride in Azerbaijan’s recent achievements, particularly the liberation of occupied territories. They highlighted Azerbaijan’s emergence as a beacon of peace and reconciliation in the region, motivating the diaspora to enhance their contributions to the homeland. The discussion also centered on strengthening the diaspora’s unity, adopting best practices from international experiences, and the prospect of establishing an Azerbaijani House in Illinois.
The meeting featured informative presentations and video segments showcasing the Committee’s ongoing projects and the significance of coordinated efforts within the diaspora movement. The event concluded with a robust exchange of ideas, addressing participants’ questions, and an artistic performance that celebrated Azerbaijani culture.
This high-level meeting not only reinforced the solidarity of the Azerbaijani community in Illinois but also set the stage for future initiatives that will further solidify their presence and influence within the United States.
