May 28 proclaimed as Azerbaijan`s National Day in Arkansas capital

Washington, May 17, AZERTAC The City of Little Rock, the capital of the US state of Arkansas, has proclaimed May 28, 2018 as Azerbaijan National Day. “On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence establishing the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which became the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world, and was recognized by other democratic nations, including the United States of America,” said the proclamation signed by Mark Stodola, Mayor of the City of Little Rock. “During the short period of independence, Azerbaijan granted all people the right to vote regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, and religion, becoming the first Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights with men, an accomplishment preceding the United States.” “Azerbaijan`s independence was interrupted in 1920, when it was invaded by Bolshevists and forcefully incorporated into the USSR in 1922 to restore its independence only in 1991,” Stodola said. “Over the last quarter century, the Republic of Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and independence, and has become a staunch ally, and strategic partner of the United States of America in the critically important Caspian region.” “This year, in the centennial of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, millions of Azerbaijanis around the globe, including tens of thousands in the United States of America observe May 28th as the National Day and remember the contribution of their forefathers to the spread of democracy in the regions of Caucasus, Central Asia and Middle East,” the proclamation said.