Message from Dr. Reza Baraheni on the Passing of Dr. Javad Heyat

Aug 12, 2014

From left: Dr. Reza Baraheni and Dr. Javad Heyat

Dr. Javad Heyat was a noble human being and a skilled physician whose linguistic consciousness and love for his homeland, Azerbaijan—especially his birthplace, Tabriz, and its people—are widely recognized. From the very beginning, he took on a duty that he seemed to regard as a fundamental and heavenly obligation, never neglecting to dedicate his time and both material and spiritual resources to it. For him, the region of Azerbaijan in Iran was not just a birthplace; rather, he had resolutely decided to remain vigilant regarding the fate of his native language and culture, which was Azerbaijan. In this passionate dedication, he advanced so far that it seemed as if a divine command had assigned him the mission to either alone or by gathering thinkers and writers from Azerbaijan to build a cultural bridge with the Republic of Azerbaijan—he sought to revive and promote his mother tongue to the extent that his capabilities and life allowed, drawing upon his own efforts as well as seeking the assistance of other writers, poets, and scholars from Azerbaijan so that the oppressed language and culture of Azerbaijan could be revitalized, restored, and the people of Azerbaijan could realize that their mother tongue is an integral part of the identity and essence of every individual born into it.

Dr. Heyat combined the power to encourage others with support for their efforts, and it can be said that he devoted more than half a century of his fruitful life, both culturally and materially, to this great right—namely, his mother tongue, the Azerbaijani Turkish language of Iran—and he never neglected his efforts to foster healthy cultural connections between the Republic of Azerbaijan (Northern Azerbaijan) and Iranian Azerbaijan.

Sometimes, individuals receive the impetus to pursue truth and justice from their conscience, in a form of inspiration. The late Dr. Heyat embraced this vital national and ethnic duty with such passion that he seemed to regard it as a divine and religious obligation; this is why his tone and expression became his main tools in encouraging others, especially the younger generation, toward the primary duty of learning their mother tongue and the native language of Azerbaijan, to the extent that younger generations interested in their ancestral culture felt indebted to him.

His encouraging power drew from his deep affection for the native language of Azerbaijan. This loyal son showed such resilience in his work that he restored the dignity of the native language of Azerbaijan in the eyes of its people.

Both the generation of the late Dr. Heyat and the subsequent generation broke free from the humiliation endured by their parents due to the suppression of their mother tongue, realizing that this true treasure was even closer to them than their own lifeblood; all it needed was a proper nudge for contemporary generations to utilize that treasure.

Salute to the great spirit of Dr. Javad Heyat and to all those who remember their mother and mother tongue alongside the humanitarian spirit of Dr. Heyat.

Now, Dr. Heyat is a part of the collective memory of the people of Azerbaijan. With respect to the pure soul of this brave son and the cultural father of the younger generation and future generations of the people of Azerbaijan, I wish cultural success for the future generations of Azerbaijan.

Link to the original text in Farsi: https://www.pensouthazerbaijan.org/2014/08/blog-post_12.html