The Azerbaijan State News Agency

OFFICIAL NEWS

President Ilham Aliyev visited Martyrs Memorial and National Museum of Moudjahid in capital city Algiers VIDEO

Algiers, November 1, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the Martyrs Memorial and National Museum of Moudjahid in capital city Algiers of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

A guard of honor was arranged for the head of state here.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the memorial.

The Martyrs Memorial was opened on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the country's independence in 1982. The monument is 92 meters high.

While touring the National Museum of Moudjahid, the President of Azerbaijan was informed that most of the collection of the museum, located within the Martyrs Memorial and opened in 1984, is dedicated to the occupation of the country by France and the popular resistance against French colonialism in 1830-1962. In addition to paintings, weapons, archival materials and war items, photos and documents belonging to the Algerian Mujahideen who fought against colonialism, as well as the execution tools used by the French to punish the participants of the popular movement during the resistance period, are on display. The personal belongings and weapons of Amir Abdul Qadir (Abdul Qadir Ibn Muhieddine), who led the movement against French colonialism, his portrait painted by French artist Ange Tissier in 1853 and returned to the country by France only in 1976, are among the most popular collections of the museum.

Witness statements by more than 7,000 participants of the popular movement are collected in the museum.

The French mercilessly murdered more than 1.5 million people during the occupation covering the 1830-1962 period. This is why Algeria is called “a country of 1.5 million martyrs”. In total, about 10 million Algerians fell victim to the French colonial period.

The attitude of the French to Algeria was different from the other territories they occupied. Whereas other territories were considered to be colonies, Algeria was considered a part of France, its overseas territory.

The head of state then signed the memory book: “I am privileged to be visiting the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria for the first time and the National Museum of Moudjahid as an expression of my deep respect for the brotherly people of Algeria.

The National Museum of Moudjahid is an important complex that contains one of the most tragic and, at the same time, proud pages of the glorious history of the Algerian people. This museum is of exceptional importance in terms of preserving the memory of the colonial policy of unprecedented cruelty and violence against the Algerian people, war and crimes against humanity, the national struggle against colonial forces and the victory of independence won at the cost of one and a half million martyrs. It is important from the standpoint of passing it on to future generations.

The struggle for freedom and independence, which started with the aim of getting rid of the merciless colonial slavery, is forever engraved in the history of Algeria as a symbol of great bravery, unity, unwavering will and determination of the Algerian people.

As the leader of a friendly and brotherly country, I am very proud to see the development and prosperity of fraternal Algeria, which gained independence by making great sacrifices.

I would like to express my gratitude for the warm welcome shown to me at the National Museum of Moudjahid and wish success to the museum in perpetuating the heroic heritage of the Algerian people.”

Then an exchange of keepsakes was held.

X X X

Parallels can be drawn between France's policy in Algeria and Armenia's policy in Karabakh, which remained under occupation for nearly 30 years. This approach also underlies France’s pro-Armenian policy. France, which once refused to grant autonomy to more than 11 million citizens of the largest country in Africa and the Arab world, now demands independence for 15,000-20,000 Armenians living in Karabakh.

At the same time, the French army committed mass murders, numerous wars and crimes against humanity against Algerians who demanded their freedom. The same crimes were committed against Azerbaijanis living in Karabakh and opposing the Armenian occupation. For example, in 1832, the El-Uffia tribe, which opposed the occupation of Algeria by France, was put to the sword while it was asleep. We observed a similar event in Khojaly in 1992. At that time, Armenia, which is supported by France, committed an act of genocide against the peaceful population of Khojaly at night. In addition, both France and Armenia used prohibited weapons during the war, violating the requirements of the Geneva Conventions.

Another tragedy brought about by France happened in October 1961. At that time, tens of thousands of Algerians demonstrated in Paris to condemn the French occupation. As a result of the French police shooting and throwing protesters into the Seine river, up to 1,500 Algerians were killed and more than a thousand people were arrested. This event went down in history as the “Seine massacre”. The French authorities have remained tight-lipped over this tragedy. The tradition of not assuming responsibility for the massacres committed by France seems to have spread to Armenia as well. The genocide and massacres committed against Azerbaijanis in Garadaghli, Aghdaban, Khojaly and other settlements in 1992-1993 are very similar to the massacres committed in Setif in 1945 and in Paris in 1961. In both cases, the criminals did not take responsibility for the massacres. Another similarity between the policies of Armenia and France is related to illegal settlement. Thus, in order to change the ethnic composition of the region in Karabakh, Armenians from the Middle East and other regions were moved by Armenia to the lands of Azerbaijan, while as a result of the illegal settlement policy in Algeria, 1 million of the country's population was made up of Europeans who had no bearing to these lands.

Another act of hypocrisy by France is the display of the skulls of 21,000 representatives of the colonized nations of this country in Paris museums. It is reported that 500 of those bones belong to Algerians. Today, mass graves and skeletons are being discovered in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. All this shows that there are many “similarities” between France and Armenia, and none of them have been held accountable for their crimes. Double standards and hypocrisy seem to be the main line of French public policy. Today, this hypocrisy is disguised under the name of democracy.

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

VIDEO

President Ilham Aliyev visited Martyrs Memorial and National Museum of Moudjahid in capital city Algiers VIDEO

Azerbaijan draws $6.7 billion in FDI in 2023

Azerbaijani Ombudsperson issues statement on March 31 - Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis

Getting too little sleep linked to high blood pressure

China's internet sector sees steady growth in first two months

Türkiye and Azerbaijan collaborate on historical film production

Georgian PM highlights religious diversity as “one of main wealth” of the country

Azerbaijani oil price climbs above $89

Azerbaijan relocates 138 more residents to Fuzuli city

Transit officials approve New York City traffic congestion fee

Azerbaijani weightlifters to fight for glory at 2024 IWF World Cup

Taha Ayhan: We want to share the story of the liberation of Shusha with the whole world

Hirshhorn at 50: ‘Revolutions’ offers an artistic journey through time, Arts innovations

Attacks in NYC transit jump a massive 50% as subway murders surge: stats

Protocol signed to implement Shusha OIC Youth Capital-2024 program

Pope appears in better health, praises Israeli and Arab fathers who both lost daughters in conflict

Latvian foreign minister resigns amid private flights controversy

Azerbaijan's Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population meets with UNDP Resident Representative

Rediscovered Raphael masterpiece to be exhibited in French Basilica

Draft law on Corsica`s autonomy adopted. MP Josepha Giacometti Piredda protests describing it as “shackles”

China’s CATL to cut its EV battery costs by up to 50% this year, heralding a price war

UN chief applauds Türkiye's Global Zero Waste Initiative, calls for end to waste cycle

Azerbaijani ambassador meets with representatives of Egyptian media outlets

Türkiye ‘neutralizes’ 38 PKK/YPG terrorists over past week

Azerbaijani boxers claim 2 golds at Great Silk Way international tournament

Azerbaijani female boxers claim nine medals at Great Silk Way International Tournament-2024

From Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa

With 783 million people going hungry, a fifth of all food goes to waste, UN says

Trump leads Biden by 5 points in new national poll

Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee meets with Egyptian ambassador

Georgian Gov’t approves 2024-2025 climate change action plan

Guivami Rahimli: “…Azerbaijan’s aim is to transform the role of energy in international relations from fueling disagreements to oiling cooperation…”

Azerbaijani Ombudsperson meets with residents of Armenian origin in Khankendi

Seoul bus drivers go on general strike

Azerbaijan to pin hopes on seven female gymnasts at 35th Rhythmic Gymnastics International Grand Prix in France

Western Azerbaijan Community issues statement

Practical classes held with Military Institute’s cadets

Telescope shares clear image of Sagittarius A* black hole in Milky Way Galaxy

Artificial intelligence laboratory launched at Baku Higher Oil School for first time among higher education institutions in Azerbaijan

Election results confirm Bassirou Diomaye Faye's victory in Senegal's presidential race

Azerbaijani oil price declines in global markets

Oil prices surge in global markets

Moscow checks, discusses with Baku alleged arms deliveries to Kiev — MFA

Russian diplomat accuses France of intelligence operations in Caucasus

Childbirths in S. Korea hit another low in January

Azerbaijani delegation of Chamber of Accounts visits US

China opens WTO dispute against US subsidies to protect its EV industry

Aykhan Hajizade: We strongly condemn anti-Azerbaijani allegations in report prepared by group led by Rasmussen

Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupts

Türkiye says it will always ‘stand shoulder to shoulder’ with Pakistan in fight against terrorism

Obama, fearing Biden loss to Trump, is on the phone to strategize

Georgian PM, Parliament Speaker nominate national football team for Medal of Honour

Türkiye to host 2027 European Games

Passenger traffic at Baku Airport increased by more than 30% during the holidays

Number of those injured in Moscow attack rises to 360

35 more families relocated to Fuzuli city get house keys VIDEO

Controversial Titanic floating door prop sells for $718,750

Humans pass more viruses to other animals than we catch from them

On World Theatre Day, ICESCO calls for greater integration of “father of all arts” into school curricula

Black Carbon: Not just pollutant, but also driver of global warming

From Daniel Noboa Azín, Constitutional President of the Republic of Ecuador

Two Azerbaijani boxers qualify for final of Great Silk Way International Tournament-2024

1 in 3 migrant deaths occur en route to escape conflict: UN migration agency

ICESCO obtains Observer status in Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network

China sends multirole satellite into orbit VIDEO

® Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Ivanic elected Honorary Member of the Editorial Board of the My Azerbaijan International Magazine

Japan aims to launch next-generation passenger aircraft by around 2035

Global oil prices drop

Austria stun Türkiye 6-1 in international friendly

Six workers presumed dead after crippled cargo ship knocks down Baltimore bridge

Azerbaijani oil price drops on world markets

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry: Statements by EU and US clearly have a one-sided and biased character VIDEO

2 UK ministers resign, forcing Sunak into Cabinet reshuffle

Poland, Ukraine bag EURO 2024 tickets

Azerbaijan relocates 35 more families to Fuzuli city VIDEO

Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament meets with ICESCO Director General

Attack on Turkish nationals in Belgium demonstrates PKK terror threat to Western Europe: Türkiye

Moldovan delegation addresses appeal to PACE regarding Azerbaijan

AI plays key role in protecting Australia's giant kelp forests

ANAMA: 462.1 hectares of territory cleared of mines and UXOs over past week

Moscow court arrests eighth suspect in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack case

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry: Another stronghold of Armenians found in Karabakh region

Global Times newspaper hails Azerbaijan-China relations as "Gold standard friendship"

Over 1.6M competitors applied to technology contests at Türkiye's TEKNOFEST

Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns Tovio Klaar's anti-Azerbaijani stance and approach violating media freedom

Boeing CEO to step down in management shake-up as manufacturing issues plague storied plane maker

Geneva hosts 3rd Conference of Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network

To His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Shahabuddin, President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Death toll in Moscow terror attack rises to 139: Russia

Azerbaijan draw 1-1 with Bulgaria in FIFA Series 2024

Turkish foreign minister, NATO chief discuss forthcoming meeting, regional developments

Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Parliament meets with Serbian counterpart

Azerbaijani female gymnast qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics

EU investigates Apple, Meta and Google owner Alphabet under new tech law

Azerbaijan to face Bulgaria in FIFA Series 2024

State Security Service conducts an operation: a person planning acts of terror arrested in Azerbaijan

Ecuador's youngest mayor found shot to death alongside staffer

® Former President of Croatia Ivo Josipoviс holds meeting with staff of My Azerbaijan International Magazine

Azerbaijani aerobic gymnasts win silver medal at Cantanhede tournament

Azerbaijani shooters secure gold medal at international tournament in Germany

Speaker of Milli Majlis addresses 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union