I congratulate you, an outstanding figure of modern literature, on the 80th birthday, and wish you a good health and welfare.

Your creative activity, full of endless love towards people, ran through with lyrics and national colorfulness carries a deep philosophical essence and meaning. It subdues by its variety and by the fact how social challenges of times correlate with high demands of the art of word.

Human values, reflected in your poetry make all of us, living complicated times, closer to each other, promote the dialogue of cultures and nations.

It is difficult to imagine the 20th century without your creative activity, without nerve-strain of your verse. Your human poetry is, of course, a reflection of your unique personality. Avarian people are proud of you and of the fact that many other nations consider you as one of them.

In our country, we appraise your creative work as a bright phenomenon, enriched images of moral world of a modern man. Love and worship of your fans in our country is connected with the fact that they have found high feelings in your poetry, connected with Azerbaijan and its capital, the city of Baku. At the same time, Azerbaijani art figures have continuously addressed your works to draw inspiration.

Dear Rasul,

Moral unity of our nations was perfectly reflected in your poetry. You have done all your best to strengthen friendship and cooperation between people of Azerbaijan and Daghestan. I hope that your talent and huge natural wisdom will make us happy in the future.

Best wishes,

Heydar Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

September 8, 2003