Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 26, 2018
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| Hassan Rouhani and Ahmad Alireza Beygi |
The statements of Ahmad Alireza Beygi, the former governor of East Azerbaijan province and current MP of Tabriz, regarding the demand for the establishment of a "Turkish Language Institution" in Tabriz, have become a topic of discussion among both domestic and foreign Persian-language media outlets.
According to news agencies such as ISNA and Fars News, the conservative politician criticized President Rouhani at the International Ashiqs Congress held in Tabriz for failing to fulfill his promises.
"Mr. Rouhani promised us the establishment of the Turkish Language Institution, but this promise was not fulfilled... The MPs of our province are persistently demanding the establishment of this institution," the MP stated.
Alireza Beygi added, "They should not be afraid of the establishment of the Turkish Language Institution. Such an institution will guarantee the continued life of our language."
Speaking at the International Ashiqs Congress, Ahmad Alireza Beygi emphasized that Ashiq music is "a common artistic language between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey."
President Hassan Rouhani had also faced criticism and protests from local politicians regarding his promises related to the revitalization of Lake Urmia and the establishment of the Turkish Language Institution during his visit to West Azerbaijan province last week.
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| Schoolchildren brought to the welcoming ceremony of Hassan Rouhani – Khoy, West Azerbaijan province. |
According to the Yol Press internet portal, Murtaza Piri, a member of the Urmia City Council, expressed that the population was disappointed with the government.
Speaking at an event attended by Hassan Rouhani in Urmia, Piri criticized the lack of attention to the demands of the Azerbaijani population regarding the "revitalization of Lake Urmia," "the teaching of Turkish," and the establishment of the Turkish Language Institution.
Link to the original text in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Təbriz millət vəkili: Hökümət Türk Dil Qurumunun təsisindən qorxmamalıdır