Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, August 17, 2014
The prominent Azerbaijani intellectual, member of the Paris International Surgical Academy, well-known publicist, and literary scholar Dr. Javad Heyat passed away on August 12 at the age of 89. The renowned surgeon made significant achievements in the field of medicine, while also engaging in extensive literary and public activities. He had founded the "Varlıq" magazine in the Azerbaijani language in Iranian Azerbaijan. Ahmad Obali, the founder of Gunaz Television in Chicago, spoke about Dr. Javad Heyat's work and legacy on the Voice of America's "America Review" program.He says that Dr. Javad Heyat’s public and literary activities played an exceptional role in the formation of national consciousness in Iranian Azerbaijan: "Dr. Javad Heyat's activities after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 began with the founding of the 'Varlıq' magazine. By founding 'Varlıq', he managed to gather many valuable writers around him. At the same time, one of Dr. Javad Heyat's significant works in Southern Azerbaijan during that period was his book on Azerbaijani history and literary history. Dr. Javad Heyat played a key role in revitalizing Azerbaijan’s national identity. At a time when the Azerbaijani issue was almost taboo, he broke that taboo."
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| Dr. Javad Heyat |
Ahmad Obali, speaking about Dr. Javad Heyat’s legacy, emphasizes the role of the "Varlıq" magazine in the development of Southern Azerbaijani youth: "For 30 years, 'Varlıq' magazine played a central role as a source and hub for young people, students, and researchers. Along with Dr. Javad Heyat's scientific achievements, his work in literature and history was no less, and perhaps even more significant. The influence he had on young people is something we see today. If we look at the student movement and activities of Azerbaijani students in the last 30 years, two names are often mentioned. One of them is Dr. Javad Heyat, and the other is Mohammad Taghi Zehtabi, who contributed significantly to the formation of the student movement by writing about the ancient history of Turks in Southern Azerbaijan, alongside Dr. Heyat."
Ahmad Obali states that Dr. Javad Heyat lived with a deep love for Azerbaijan: "Dr. Javad Heyat will be remembered like the Dede Qorqud of our time. Extremely intelligent, knowledgeable, and educated, he used limited resources to convey the voice of his nation to the world. Dr. Heyat will be remembered for his love for Azerbaijan's land and homeland. He spoke with great heartache about Karabakh, the Karabakh war, and his visit to Kelbajar. His letter to Turkish President Süleyman Demirel. He will be remembered for his Azerbaijanism and love for the Azerbaijani homeland."
Link to the original text in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Əhməd Obalı: Doktor Cavad Heyət Azərbaycana böyük sevgisi ilə yadda qalacaq