(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 25
Trend:
The 30th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide was
commemorated on February 24, 2022 with a virtual multifaith
memorial in Los Angeles, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Consulate General
in Los Angeles.
Held by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, the
event included remarks by diplomats, elected officials, as well as
faith and community leaders representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim
and Zoroastrian religious communities in Los Angeles and
beyond.
Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, Nasimi Aghayev,
gave detailed information about the Khojaly Genocide, which was
committed by Armenian troops on Feb. 25-26, 1992 in and around the
town of Khojaly in Azerbaijan, resulting in the brutal slaughter of
613 innocent Azerbaijani civilians, including hundreds of children,
women and elderly. Aghayev noted that the Khojaly Genocide was the
first genocide in Europe after the end of the Cold War.“Considered
by many as an example of modern day genocide, Khojaly challenges
what we thought could never happen,” he said.“Unfortunately, the
tragedy befalling the Azerbaijani people in the early 1990s did not
end with Khojaly. Armenia went further and invaded around 20
percent of Azerbaijan's sovereign territory, expelling 800,000
Azerbaijanis from their homes and lands,” Aghayev continued.
“An effective international campaign“Justice for Khojaly”
launched in 2008 and led by Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has been instrumental in mobilizing
efforts aimed at raising international awareness about Khojaly,”
the Consul General noted.“A growing number of countries, including
the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan, Colombia,
Peru and Mexico and others, have officially recognized and
commemorated Khojaly. Moreover, over 20 U.S. States, including
seven states in our Consular district, have recognized and
commemorated the Khojaly tragedy,” Aghayev said.
Then a heartbreaking video testimony of Durdane Agayeva, one of
the Khojaly survivors, who was taken hostage as a 20-year old girl
by Armenian troops and subjected to inexplicable brutality in a
torture camp, was screened.
Consul General of Türkiye Sinan Kuzum; former President of
Washington States Senate Pam Roach; President of Inglewood Islamic
Center Javed Bava; Founding Director of the American Center for
Religious Freedom Dr. Jannah Scott; President of Council of
Pakistan Adnan Khan; former President of the Assembly of Turkish
American Associations Ergün Kırlıkovalı; Rabbi Elchanan Shoff of
Beis Knesses Synagogue of Los Angeles; Founder of Kingdom Builders
International Church Dr. Charlene Allen; Officiating Head Priest of
Zoroastrian Association of California Mobed Zarrir Bhandara; and
Associate of JGM International Prayerlife Institute Reverend Robin
Kornegay shared their thoughts on the horrors of the Khojaly
Genocide and underlined the importance of educating the world about
such tragedies to ensure they do not happen again. They also prayed
for the victims and survivors of Khojaly as well as for the peace
and reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The event ended with the screening of a special composition by
Azerbaijani Kamancha master Imamyar Hasanov dedicated to the
Khojaly Genocide.
The event video can be watched here:
MENAFN25022022000187011040ID1103761236
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.