Shorouk Express 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. The State
Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) of Azerbaijan organized an exhibition-presentation titled
‘Roads leading to the Great Return’ at the Gallery 1969
exhibition hall in Baku, a source in the committee told Trend.
The participants were first presented with an exhibition of
photographs captured over the years by Rafig Baghirov, an honorary
member of the Azerbaijan Photographers’ Union and a distinguished
veteran of social and political photojournalism in the country.
The collection primarily documented the activities of National
Leader Heydar Aliyev during the formative years of Azerbaijan’s
independent statehood, as well as the outcomes of extensive
reconstruction and development initiatives undertaken in the
liberated territories under the leadership of President Ilham
Aliyev following the historic victory.
Several of the photos were being displayed for the first
time.
Subsequently, video clips filmed in Karabakh and East Zangezur
were presented as part of the State Committee’s information,
awareness, and promotional initiatives under the First State
Program on the Great Return, which facilitates the resettlement of
internally displaced persons in newly established residential
areas.
In his address, Chairman of the State Committee Rovshan Rzayev
underscored the significance of highlighting the remarkable
contributions of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the Azerbaijani
people and the development of statehood for the benefit of both
present and future generations.
He further observed that Azerbaijan’s accomplishments under the
leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, including the Great Victory
and the subsequent Great Return, have garnered international
attention.
Rzayev informed participants about the exhibition and underlined
that such events are organized within the framework of the First
State Program on the Great Return.
Deputy Chairman of the State Committee Fuad Huseynov delivered
the opening address.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chairperson of the Azerbaijani
Parliament, academician Rafael Huseynov, said that refugees and
IDPs have always received the attention and care of the state.
He emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev has successfully
continued the policy defined by National Leader Heydar Aliyev in
this sphere.
The academician highlighted that Azerbaijan’s current
achievements were built upon the foundations laid by Heydar Aliyev
during the formative years of independent statehood.
He recalled the importance of the ceasefire in the First
Karabakh War, the signing of the Contract of the Century,
attracting foreign investment, establishing a modern army, carrying
out fundamental reforms across all sectors, and addressing the
challenges faced by refugees and IDPs.
Huseynov stressed that President Ilham Aliyev has fulfilled all
his promises to the people, and under his leadership, internally
displaced persons were quickly moved from tent camps, railway cars,
and other unsuitable shelters to modern settlements.
As a result, 300,000 people were provided with new houses or
apartments.
Thanks to the determination of the Head of State and the heroism
of the Azerbaijani Army, the country’s territories were liberated
from occupation, enabling internally displaced persons to return to
their native lands.
The Great Return, launched after the great victory, continues
successfully today as the revitalized cities and villages of
Karabakh and East Zangezur welcome back their residents.
The event also emphasized that First Vice-President Mehriban
Aliyeva has provided impactful support to refugees and IDPs.
The ongoing Great Return process, launched five years after the
historic victory, is a vivid expression of Azerbaijan’s unique and
exemplary policy toward former IDPs.
Systematic measures are being implemented to ensure their safe,
dignified, and sustainable return to their homelands.
The academician further noted that, in line with the
instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return represents
not only the physical return of people to their homes but also
their spiritual and historical reconnection with their roots.
The event also featured the presentation of a video titled
‘Roads to the Great Return’, which highlighted the emotional and
human dimensions of the process, documenting the revival of life in
the liberated territories.
In his remarks, Baghirov expressed gratitude to the state
committee for the attention shown to his work and for organizing
the exhibition.
On behalf of the committee, a letter of appreciation was
presented to the distinguished photographer.
One of the most notable photographs on display was a 1990s image
of National Leader Heydar Aliyev meeting with internally displaced
persons from Jabrayil, featuring a young girl, Sama Mammadova.
Speaking at the event, Mammadova shared that she still remembers
the pain of those years despite being a child at the time.
She emphasized that Heydar Aliyev always showed care and
compassion for internally displaced persons:
“We always felt Heydar Aliyev’s sincere attention and care for
IDPs. The photograph displayed today is a clear example of that.
Thanks to the leadership of our President and the determination of
our Army, our lands have been liberated, and we have finally
returned to our homeland, to Jabrayil,” she said.
Other speakers included Vusala Fataliyeva, Deputy Head of the
Executive Authority of Shusha District and a former IDP from
Shusha, and Tahmasib Novruzov, a writer-publicist and former IDP
from Aghdam.
They emphasized that the Great Return is a powerful symbol of
national unity, patriotism, and revival.
The speakers fondly recalled their childhood and youth in their
native lands and shared their immense joy and happiness at being
reunited with their homes.
The event was attended by officials from the Special
Representative Offices of the President of Azerbaijan in the
liberated territories, cultural and artistic figures, members of
the Public Council under the State Committee, and other guests.
Following the event, participants took a commemorative
photo.
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