MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage arranged a cultural heritage tour “Promotion among Youth- Islamic Army of the Caucasus" on 12-13th September, 2013. Participants of cultural heritage tour, dedicated to 95 years of Baku’s liberation by Islamic Army of the Caucasus moved over the route of Ganja-Goychay-Agsu-Shamakhi-Hokmali-Guzdak-Baku (Martyr’s Avenue). They achieved to follow glorious fight path of Islamic Army of the Caucasus having significant role in gaining and protection of independence of Azerbaijan, coming for help of Azerbaijani people in its struggle against Armenian dashnaks and Russian Bolsheviks in early 20th century.
Cultural heritage tour started on 12 September, 2013 with Ganja City which was the first headquarters of Islamic Army of the Caucasus. Professor of Ganja State University, Etibar Allahverdiyev shared wide information about 3 headquarters situated in Ganja City (Europe Hotel (Former Caravanserai, Gardeners Estate and Ganja Bridge (1896), sitting hall of National Council (Hall of Ganja State Agrarian University), the building of Azerbaijan Republic’s government, and study of Fatali khan Khoyski (the building of University Museum). Teachers and students of Caspian Education Centre operated in Ganja, joined the cultural heritage tour.
On that day the participants arrived in Goychay City, where the second main headquarters of Islamic Army of the Caucasus located. The director of Goychay History and Local Lore Museum, Besti Sultanova gave information that the house of Sadig agha and Hazrat bey brothers where the headquarters located (currently Goychay branch of Imam Khomeyni Aid Association) was ruined when Goychay was set to gun-fire by Bolshevik-Dashnak forces, plane-tree shot again from 4 sides, and Turkish soldier and genocide monument.
The participants came to Medieval Agsu Town Archaeological Tourism Complex at night and stayed there.
On 13 September, 2013 the participants went to Bilal efendi Mosque in the area of Kulullu Village of Agsu region, where the third basic headquarters of the Army located. The grandson of Bilal efendi, Elshad Sadigov shared interesting information on the headquarters inside the mosque and burial of Turkish soldiers in the family cemetery.
The participants visited on their way Sharadil Village of Shamakhi region (nomad tent of the army headquarters was there one time), grave of the officer of Islamic Army of the Caucasus in Ajidere Village of Gobustan (Mereze) region, Turkish Martyrs Monument, the area, where large gun-fires of the army located in Hokmeli Settlement of Absheron region.
Later they came to Guzdak settlement of Absheron region, the fourth quarters of the army. The chief of Guzdak settlement municipality, Hasan Hajagayev showed the buildings of the headquarters in Guzdak Village and spoke about headquarters, health detachment and target. It was said the headquarters were some time bombed by planes and local population were killed and wounded.
The participants of cultural heritage tour “Promotion among Youth- Islamic Army of the Caucasus" came finally to Martyrs Avenue, commemorated martyrs sacrificed for liberty and integrity of our Motherland and put flowers. The youth visited Turkish martyrs in the avenue, put the bunch of flowers which they collected from Ganja.
The chairman of MIRAS Organization, Fariz Khalilli dealt with the significance of the done work, their wish of cultural heritage tours’ durableness. He noted this project is supported by embassy of Turkey Republic to Azerbaijan, Caucasus Research Institute of Qafqaz University, ‘Yeni Yol’ Youth Enlightement Public Union, Ganja Caspian Educational Centre, as well as AzerTag Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency. The chief of Public Sciences Chair of Azerbaijan Technical University of Azerbaijan, Professor Shirkar Gasimov spoke on rightful way of Islamic Army of the Caucasus and urgency of such tours for strengthening of youth’s patriotic feeling.
In the end the participants of the cultural heritage tour were given gifts like books, journals and CDs on Islamic Army of the Caucasus and general Nuru Pasha.