POLITICS
U.S. state of Iowa proclaims May 28 as national day of Azerbaijan
Washington, June 5, AZERTAC
The U.S. state of Iowa has proclaimed May 28, 2018, as the national day of Azerbaijan.
Governor of the State of Iowa Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation on the centennial anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
“On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence, establishing the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and becoming the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world. It was recognized by other democratic nations, including the United States of America,” the proclamation says.
“During the short period of independence, Azerbaijan granted all people the right to vote regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, and religion, becoming the first Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights with men, an accomplishment preceding the United States.”
“Azerbaijan’s independence was interrupted in 1920 when it was invaded by Bolsheviks and forcefully incorporated into the USSR in 1922 to restore its independence only in 1991.”
“Over the last quarter century, the Republic of Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and independence and has become a staunch ally and strategic partner of the United States of America in the critically important Caspian region,” the proclamation says.
“This year, in the centennial of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, millions of Azerbaijanis around the globe, including tens of thousands in the United States of America observe May 28 as the National Day and remember the contribution of their forefathers to the spread of democracy in the regions of Caucasus, Central Asia and Middle East,” the proclamation adds.
Yusif Babanly
Special Correspondent