An iftar dinner was organised on behalf of President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, first lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, on the ocassion of International Children’s Day for the special children in collaboration with the Directorate General of Special Education.
Welcoming the children on the ocassion, Ambassador Ali Alizada said that Azerbaijan traditionally attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of children. He noted that the protection of children, their welfare, provision of rights and freedoms and also coordination of state policy in this sphere is one of the main responsibilities of the Azerbaijani government.
The ambassador said since its establishment, Heydar Aliyev Foundation has successfully carried out important projects in the fields of educating children and provision of protection, health, freedom and other rights to them.
He said the foundation launched its work in Pakistan in 2005 by constructing a new school for girls in Muzaffarabad district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He said implementation of different social and humanitarian projects in Pakistan by the foundation is aimed at further strengthening the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
“The initiative and support given by the foundation to celebrate International Children’s Day with the special children is another service to the humanity and is aimed at attracting attention to the protection and provision of the rights of children to make them happy, and to show them that we are always with them,” the ambassador said.
“Through their performances, they have peroved to the public and society that disability is not inability … what they need is only protection, support and love,” he added.
Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz, who was chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the projects of Heydar Aliyev Foundation being implemented in different regions of Pakistan. He especially mentioned the Rara Highschool built by the foundation in Muzaffarabad after the devastating earthquake which hit the region in 2005.
He also highlighted other projects of the foundation, especially those carried out in the field of healthcare, like hepatitis B vaccination, free check-up and treatment camps, donation of ambulances and blood collection bags, etc.
He also recalled distribution of aid packages to the poor during the holy month of Ramazan and distribution of gifts and toys in centres for children with restricted health conditions on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha in 2017.
“This is the manifestation of sincere cooperation of Mehriban Aliyeva towards Pakistan. Because of all these works done by the foundation, its president – Mehriban Aliyeva – was awarded with Hilal-e-Pakistan,” the mayor said.
At the end he thanked the foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan for organizing such an event for the special children of Islamabad and making them feel as part of this world.
Published in Daily Times, June 3rd 2018.