October 18 - Azerbaijan's Independence Day

Today - October 18 - is marked as the State Independence Day in Azerbaijan.

Thanks to favorable historical condition established after collapse of the Soviet Union in late 20th century Azerbaijani people gained its independence in the 20th century for the second time. It was the second prominent achievement in Azerbaijani people's political history.

As a result of the activity of the democratic powers i n Russia it was impossible to suppress non-subordination to the central power and independence wish in the republic. At the extraordinary meeting called under the people's will on June 30, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijani Republic adopted a declaration about restoration of Azerbaijan's state independence.

Constitutional Act "About the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan'" was adopted at the session of the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijani Republic on Oct.18, 1991.

The referendum was held in Azerbaijan on Dec.29. The referendum's bulletin reflected a question: "Do you support the Constitutional Act "About the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan" adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan?"

The Azerbaijan people unanimously supported the state independence.

In May 1992 Azerbaijani parliament adopted the State Hymn (music by Uzeyir Hajibeyov, words by Ahmed Javad) of the Azerbaijan Republic and soon after it, three colored flag and the state anthem in the form of eight-point star with fire in the centre of it.

Azerbaijan is an independent and a sovereign state since Oct.18, 1991 and people celebrate it as a holiday.
Independence Day is a working day in Azerbaijan.

Teachers' Day

In many countries, Teachers' Days (or Teachers Day) are intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honour them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community in general. The date on which Teachers' day is celebrated varies from country to country. Teachers' days are distinct from World Teachers' Day which is officially celebrated across the world on October 5.

Between 1965 and 1994 Teacers' Day was celebrated on the first Sunday of October.But since 1994 , on October 5, it has coincided with the World Teachers' Day and we began celebrate Teachers' Day on this day.

Kurban holiday in Azerbaijan

Kurban  (Eid al-Adha) is one of the greatest holidays of the Islam world adumbrating the end of hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). It is observed 70 days after another great holiday, Uraza-Bayram and its date depends on the Islamic calendar and falls on the 10th day of Zul-Khij (the 12th lunation of the Islamic calendar. In some countries it is called as Kurban Bayram, Eid Al-Adha. This holiday can also be called as Festival of Sacrifice.

According to the Holy Scripture its history of celebration dates back to a well-known story when Archangel Jabrail brought Prophet Ibrahim a message where Allah asked him to sacrifice Ismail, Ibrahim’s only son. The Prophet did not dare to contradict the God’s message, brought his son to the Min valley, occupied now by Mecca, and started preparation for sacrificial offering. Ismail himself did not resist as he was faithful to Allah and to his father. However, when the last moment came, Allah, having satisfied himself with the Prophet’s loyalty, deprived his knife an ability to cut and Archangel Jabrail sent the Prophet a sheep that was immolated instead. Thus God manifested his mercy and that the Muslims must follow his dictations in spite of their complicacy.

By tradition, the main celebration of Kurban Holiday  (Eid al-Adha) is held in Mecca at the end of pilgrimage. The day before the holiday the believers climb Arafat Mountain and next day perform Tavaf, seven rounds around the Holy Caaba, and sacrifice a sheep, cow or camel. However it is customary to celebrate the Holiday wherever a Muslim was.