The purpose of the marathon is to bring together Azerbaijanis around the world under the slogan “Let’s let them live” and call on them to donate to the YASHAT Foundation to support those who gave us victory in the Second Karabakh War and their families and pay tribute to them. A live event devoted to the marathon was broadcast on Azerbaijan Television (AzTV) on May 25. As part of the event, a video link was established with our compatriots and celebrities living in different countries, members of the martyrs’ families, heroes of the Patriotic War and veterans appeared in the studio, and a report on the work done by the YASHAT Foundation so far was presented.
This is what Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan Fuad Muradov says about the marathon, about the activities of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in recent months and the contribution of our compatriots living abroad to ensuring the territorial integrity of our country.
“The YASHAT charity marathon is a logical continuation of the patriotic campaigns organized by Azerbaijanis living in different countries during the Patriotic War. From the very start of the combat actions, our compatriots around the words rallied as one around their leader, President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, demonstrating the integrity of the state and the diaspora. The efforts of Azerbaijanis in different countries in the information warfare are truly indispensable. They became the voice of truth, spreading the information about the history of the conflict outside Azerbaijan, the Armenian aggression and provocations, crimes committed against the civilian population before the war.
Welcoming the patriotic initiatives of Azerbaijanis living abroad, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora held a 5-hour online conference under the slogan ‘Let’s be as one, let’s be united’ on December 26, 2020. The event was attended by more than 500 people from 51 countries. It was at this truly world conference that opinions were voiced on the need for cooperation between the YASHAT Foundation and the diaspora organizations, and an agreement was reached on cooperation between the diaspora organizations and the ASAN service, including the implementation of joint projects under the slogan ‘For the Motherland’.
At the same time, some diaspora activists offered to join efforts to provide financial assistance to the families of the martyrs and the wounded. This ultimately led to the idea of holding the YASHAT charity marathon, which today has become a symbol of unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanis around the world for the sake of the Motherland. Most Azerbaijanis living abroad see this campaign as their sacred duty to those who won this victory at the cost of their lives, who made it possible for the people of Azerbaijan to experience the moments of joy at the thought that our lands were finally free and that for hundreds of thousands could visit the graves of their ancestors and return to their home villages and towns.
The YASHAT marathon is not only a fundraising event for war veterans and their families, but, first and foremost, a testament to the fact that the hearts of people cherishing the memory of those who won this invaluable victory beat in time with their homeland. It is a symbol of national solidarity. Along with providing real assistance to the families of the martyrs and the wounded, the marathon became a great opportunity to demonstrate to the whole world Azerbaijan, its beautiful land, hospitable people, its heroes and valiant fighters who sacrificed their lives for their homeland to be whole again.”
Aze.Media
