For 70 years, Soviet Azerbaijan celebrated 28 April as a national holiday – it was conceived as the victory of revolution in the country, the date of its Sovetization and liberation of workers. After the demise of Soviets, the public holiday was abolished. But now a pro-government Member of the Parliament wants this date back as a holiday again – this time as the Mother’s Day.
According to Mediaforum, Elmira Akhundova, the author of the proposal told the Parliament on 1 February:
28 April is the birthday of prominent academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Azerbaijani people celebrate the birthday of Zarifa Aliyeva, who is the wife of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev, with great respect. To designate her birthday as the Mothers' Day would reflect people's love towards Zarifa khanim as well as add a new public holiday to our calendar. This Mothers' Day should be established and designated as a non-working day.
Academician Zarifa Aliyeva (1923-1985) was the wife of Azerbaijan’s third president Heydar Aliyev and the mother of the fourth, incumbent president, Ilham Aliyev.
