“Unity and Fraternity Iftar” in “Brotherly Aid” neighborhood in Kahramanmaraş

Organized by Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation (ASK), Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen’s Union (ATİB), MÜSIAD Azerbaijan, Small and Medium Business Subjects and Clubs (KOBSKA), Kahramanmaraş Federation of Associations (MarashFed) gathered with our compatriots who were affected by the earthquake, state and government officials, MPs, representatives of non-governmental organizations in the “Unity and Brotherhood iftar” program, at the iftar table in “Brotherly Aid” temporary container located in Türkoğlu district of Kahramanmaraş.

After the earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6 last year, which was called the catastrophe of the century, the “Brotherly Aid Platform” was established with the support of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA), Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation (ASK), non-governmental organizations, associations, and business people operating in Azerbaijan. The goal was to join the initiative of Mr. President and be with brotherly Turkey with the support of our business people, non-governmental organizations and associations.

Friendly and brotherly relations between the states of Azerbaijan and Turkey have an ancient history.

Throughout the centuries, our peoples have always supported each other, cooperated closely, and, as the great leader Heydar Aliyev wisely said, have been “one nation, two states”.

It is no coincidence that the founder of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, considered Azerbaijan’s sorrow as Türkiye’s sorrow, joy as Türkiye’s joy.

Brotherly aid is the slogan of brotherhood in difficult times. During the First World War, when the Ottoman state was fighting a life-and-death battle, Azerbaijani intellectuals rushed to the aid of their brothers in Anatolia with the charity societies and national committees they founded. Orphans from cities such as Kars and Ardahan were brought and placed in schools opened by Muslim Charitable Societies in Ganja and Baku. Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev and Musa Naghiyev opened “Darül Eytamlar” (orphanage) in Edirne for Muslim children displaced during the Balkan wars. As a continuation of all these activities, in 1917, all the newspapers published in Azerbaijan united and issued a special edition under the name “Brotherly Aid” and conducted an aid company for Ottoman prisoners and soldiers. As a result of this brotherhood, the Ottomans saved our country from the Armenian-Bolshevik occupation by forming the Caucasian Islamic Army in the most difficult time of Azerbaijan.

In 2020, during the 44-day Patriotic War, Türkiye supported its brother Azerbaijan in its just war, and a great victory was won.

It is for this reason why we decided to conduct our support campaign under the motto “Brotherly Aid”.

Today, “Brotherly Aid” continues its historical mission.

It should be noted that 39 streets in the mentioned neighborhood are named after the liberated cities of Azerbaijan and our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our lands.

Once again, we wish God’s mercy to all our martyrs of the national war, victims of the earthquake, and healing to our wounded.

May God not give another bad day.

May God protect the Turk nation!