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Equality Party (Azerbaijan)
Encyclopedia
The Müsavat Party is the oldest existing political party
in Azerbaijan
. Its history can be divided into three periods: Early (old) Musavat, Musavat-in-exile and New Musavat.
Musavat was founded in 1911 in Baku
as a secret organization by Mammed Amin Rasulzade
, Mammed Ali Rasulzade (cousin of Mammed Amin Rasulzade
), Abbasgulu Kazimzade and Taghi Nagioglu. Its initial name was a Muslim Democratic Musavat Party. The first members were Veli Mikayiloghlu, Seyid Huseyn Sadig, Abdurrahim bey, Yusif Ziya bey and Seyid Musavi bey. Early Musavat members also included future Communist leader of Azerbaijan SSR Nariman Narimanov
. This initiative was coming from Mammed Amin Rasulzade
, who was then living in exile
in Istanbul
.
The Musavat's programme, which appealed to the Azerbaijani masses and assured the party of the sympathy of the Muslims abroad, announced the following aims:
In its early years before the first world war, Musavat was a relatively small, secret underground organization, much like its counterparts throughout the Middle East, working for the prosperity and political unity of the Muslim and Turkic
-speaking world. During this time, the Musavat party supported some pan-Islamist and pan-Turkist ideas. Pan-Turkic element in Musavat's ideology was a reflection of the novel ideas of the Young Turk revolution in Ottoman Empire
. The founders of this ideology were Azerbaijani intellectuals of Russian Empire, Ali-bey Huseynzadeh and Ahmed-bey Agayev (known in Turkey as Ahmet Ağaoğlu), whose literary works used the linguistic unity of Turkic-speaking peoples as a factor for national awakening of various nationalities inhabiting the Russian Empire.
Although Musavat espoused pan-Islamic ideology and its founder was sympathetic to the pan-Turkic movement, the party supported the tsarist regime during the First World War
. Russia's social democrats received the foundation of Musavat in what they considered "imperial, orientalist terms, governed by the long-standing ideological categories of Muslim backwardness, treachery and religious fanaticism", as a betrayal of historic proportions. In the words of one Soviet analyst, Rasulzade and the Muslim social democrats of Baku had "made a 180 degree turnaround straight from Bolshevism to pan-Islamism". This was a potent and tenacious charge, targeting the Muslims as deviant and disloyal minority within the empire, manipulated by the "traitorous Musavat".
The Menshevik and Social Revolutionary parties of Baku, both largely dependent upon the support of selected Georgian, Armenian and Jewish cadrees, as well as upon the ethnic Russian workers, had long vilified the Muslims as "inert" and "unconscious". For them as well as for Bolsheviks, Constitutional Democrats and Denikinists, the Musavat, by default, was the false friend of social democracy, just a party of feudal "beks and khans". These accusations, centerpieces of a paranoid style in social-democratic politics, have endured in the historical literature far beyond their origins. But this form of attitude also alienated predominant Muslim groups from Russia's mainstream social democrats, as Musavat's shifting politics and populist slogans started receiving bigger appeal among the Muslim worker audience. Musavat leaders were largely well-educated professionals from the upper class echelons of Azerbaijani Turkish society; its mass membership, most recruited between 1917 and 1919, comprised the poorly-educated Muslims underclass of Baku.
returned to Azerbaijan and undertook party leadership. Despite party still being secret, Rasulzade managed to found newspaper "Achig Soz"(1915–1918), in which Musavat's aims and goals, this time polished and defined in Rasulzade's interpretations, were implicitly advocated. Only after February Revolution
, when Musavat ceased to be a secret organization and became a legal political party, newspaper officially became party's organ.
The Baku Committee of Muslim Social Organizations, as well as the Musavat, were quite radical during the early days of the February Revolution
: they wanted a democratic republic, which would guarantee the rights of Muslims. The Soviet historian, A. L. Popov, writes that the Musavat cannot be a priori classified as a reactionary party of Khans and Beks, because in the early revolutionary period the Musavat stood on the positions of democracy and even socialism. "Until a certain time the Baku Committee of Muslim Social Organizations and the Musavat party successfully fulfilled the mission not only of representing the general national interests but also of guiding the Azerbaijani workers' democracy".
On June 17, 1917, Musavat merged with the Party of Turkic Federalists, another national-democratic right-wing organization founded by Nasibbey Usubbekov and Hasan bey Agayev, taking on a new name of Musavat Party of Turkic Federalists. Thus, Musavat became the main political force of Caucasian Muslims.
In October 1917 Musavat convoked in its first congress where it adopted new covenant, with 76 articles. Particularly, new covenant said:
Musavat became the 10th largest party elected to the Russian Constituent Assembly
(1918).
, Musavat became the leading party of newly established Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
, holding majority of mandates in its parliaments, at first in Azerbaijani National Council
and then in Parlaman ("parliament"), Rasulzade being its first head of state(28 May 1918 - 7 December 1918). Under the Musavat's leadership, Azerbaijan in 1918 became the first secular democracy in the Muslim world. A year later, in 1919, Azerbaijani women were granted the right to vote, several years before the U.S. and some European countries.
The following Musavat members held positions in successive ADR governments
:
Second cabinet (June 17, 1918 - December 7, 1918)
After the fall of the first Republic in April 1920 as a result of the Bolshevik invasion, Musavat switched to secret activities again, by forming a secret committee, in which even famous Azeri playwright Jafar Jabbarli participated. Committee's most famous action was the preparation of the Rasulzade's flight from the Russian SFSR to Finland
. Overall, Musavat prepared and conducted several armed insurgents, e.g. rebellions of Ganja, Karabakh,Zagatala and Lankoran. But Soviets also repressed Musavat by arresting at least 2 000 members of Musavat until 1923. Most prominent Musavat members thus were killed, exiled or escaped abroad and party ceased its activities in Azerbaijan
in 1923.
established a Foreign Bureau of Musavat in 1923, but also created the Azerbaijani National Center in order to coordinate their activity with other Azeri political immigrants not affiliated with Musavat. Istanbul
became the center of Musavat-in-exile in 1920s and early 30s, before moving to Ankara
in late 1940s.
was elected its chairmen. He remains its leader up to date.The party structure consists of "Başqan" (Leader), "Divan" (Executive Board), and "Məclis" (Congress).
Since 1993, Musavat was in the opposition to the ruling New Azerbaijan Party
. At the last elections
(5 November 2000 and 7 January 2001), the party won 4.9 % of the popular vote and 2 out of 125 seats. As party's candidate, its leader Isa Qambar won 12.2 % of the popular vote in the 15 October 2003 presidential elections
. At the parliamentary elections
of 6 November 2005, it joined the Freedom
alliance, and won inside the alliance 5 seats. Musavat is also known for its protests against the Azerbaijani government such as that took place on 16 October 2003, after Isa Qambar had lost the election as well as on March 12, 2011.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. Its history can be divided into three periods: Early (old) Musavat, Musavat-in-exile and New Musavat.
Early (Old) Musavat (1911 - 1923)
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
as a secret organization by Mammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
, Mammed Ali Rasulzade (cousin of Mammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
), Abbasgulu Kazimzade and Taghi Nagioglu. Its initial name was a Muslim Democratic Musavat Party. The first members were Veli Mikayiloghlu, Seyid Huseyn Sadig, Abdurrahim bey, Yusif Ziya bey and Seyid Musavi bey. Early Musavat members also included future Communist leader of Azerbaijan SSR Nariman Narimanov
Nariman Narimanov
Narimanov Nariman Karbalayi Najaf oglu was an Azerbaijani revolutionary, writer, publicist, politician and statesman. In 1920, Narimanov headed the Soviet government of Azerbaijan, the Provisional Military-Revolutionary Committee , replacing Mirza Davud Huseynov, then he was the Chairman of the...
. This initiative was coming from Mammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
, who was then living in exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
.
The Musavat's programme, which appealed to the Azerbaijani masses and assured the party of the sympathy of the Muslims abroad, announced the following aims:
- 1. The unity of all Muslim peoples without regard to nationality or sect.
- 2. Restoration of the independence of all Muslim nations.
- 3. Extension of material and moral aid to all Muslim nations which fight for their independence.
- 4. Help to all Muslim peoples and states in offence and in defence.
- 5. The destruction of the barriers which prevent the spread of the above-mentioned ideas.
- 6. The establishment of contact with parties striving for the progress of the Muslims.
- 7. The establishment, as need might arise, of contact and exchange of opinion with foreign parties which have the well being of humanity as their aim.
- 8. The intensification of the struggle for the existence of all Muslims and the development of their commerce, trade and economic life in general.
In its early years before the first world war, Musavat was a relatively small, secret underground organization, much like its counterparts throughout the Middle East, working for the prosperity and political unity of the Muslim and Turkic
Turkic languages
The Turkic languages constitute a language family of at least thirty five languages, spoken by Turkic peoples across a vast area from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to Siberia and Western China, and are considered to be part of the proposed Altaic language family.Turkic languages are spoken...
-speaking world. During this time, the Musavat party supported some pan-Islamist and pan-Turkist ideas. Pan-Turkic element in Musavat's ideology was a reflection of the novel ideas of the Young Turk revolution in Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. The founders of this ideology were Azerbaijani intellectuals of Russian Empire, Ali-bey Huseynzadeh and Ahmed-bey Agayev (known in Turkey as Ahmet Ağaoğlu), whose literary works used the linguistic unity of Turkic-speaking peoples as a factor for national awakening of various nationalities inhabiting the Russian Empire.
Although Musavat espoused pan-Islamic ideology and its founder was sympathetic to the pan-Turkic movement, the party supported the tsarist regime during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Russia's social democrats received the foundation of Musavat in what they considered "imperial, orientalist terms, governed by the long-standing ideological categories of Muslim backwardness, treachery and religious fanaticism", as a betrayal of historic proportions. In the words of one Soviet analyst, Rasulzade and the Muslim social democrats of Baku had "made a 180 degree turnaround straight from Bolshevism to pan-Islamism". This was a potent and tenacious charge, targeting the Muslims as deviant and disloyal minority within the empire, manipulated by the "traitorous Musavat".
The Menshevik and Social Revolutionary parties of Baku, both largely dependent upon the support of selected Georgian, Armenian and Jewish cadrees, as well as upon the ethnic Russian workers, had long vilified the Muslims as "inert" and "unconscious". For them as well as for Bolsheviks, Constitutional Democrats and Denikinists, the Musavat, by default, was the false friend of social democracy, just a party of feudal "beks and khans". These accusations, centerpieces of a paranoid style in social-democratic politics, have endured in the historical literature far beyond their origins. But this form of attitude also alienated predominant Muslim groups from Russia's mainstream social democrats, as Musavat's shifting politics and populist slogans started receiving bigger appeal among the Muslim worker audience. Musavat leaders were largely well-educated professionals from the upper class echelons of Azerbaijani Turkish society; its mass membership, most recruited between 1917 and 1919, comprised the poorly-educated Muslims underclass of Baku.
Early Musavat under Rasulzade leadership
After the Amnesty act of 1913 dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, Mammed Amin RasulzadeMammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
returned to Azerbaijan and undertook party leadership. Despite party still being secret, Rasulzade managed to found newspaper "Achig Soz"(1915–1918), in which Musavat's aims and goals, this time polished and defined in Rasulzade's interpretations, were implicitly advocated. Only after February Revolution
February Revolution
The February Revolution of 1917 was the first of two revolutions in Russia in 1917. Centered around the then capital Petrograd in March . Its immediate result was the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, the end of the Romanov dynasty, and the end of the Russian Empire...
, when Musavat ceased to be a secret organization and became a legal political party, newspaper officially became party's organ.
The Baku Committee of Muslim Social Organizations, as well as the Musavat, were quite radical during the early days of the February Revolution
February Revolution
The February Revolution of 1917 was the first of two revolutions in Russia in 1917. Centered around the then capital Petrograd in March . Its immediate result was the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, the end of the Romanov dynasty, and the end of the Russian Empire...
: they wanted a democratic republic, which would guarantee the rights of Muslims. The Soviet historian, A. L. Popov, writes that the Musavat cannot be a priori classified as a reactionary party of Khans and Beks, because in the early revolutionary period the Musavat stood on the positions of democracy and even socialism. "Until a certain time the Baku Committee of Muslim Social Organizations and the Musavat party successfully fulfilled the mission not only of representing the general national interests but also of guiding the Azerbaijani workers' democracy".
On June 17, 1917, Musavat merged with the Party of Turkic Federalists, another national-democratic right-wing organization founded by Nasibbey Usubbekov and Hasan bey Agayev, taking on a new name of Musavat Party of Turkic Federalists. Thus, Musavat became the main political force of Caucasian Muslims.
In October 1917 Musavat convoked in its first congress where it adopted new covenant, with 76 articles. Particularly, new covenant said:
- Article 1: The form of the state of Russia should be a federative democratic republic based on principles of the national autonomy.
- Article 3: All ethnicities having territories of compact inhabiting n any part of Russia should receive national autonomy. Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkistan and Bashkortostan should receive a territorial autonomy, Turks living along the Volga and the Crimean Turks should receive a cultural autonomy in the case of impossibility of territorial autonomy. The Party considers as its sacred duty to support any non-Turkic ethnicities’ quests for autonomy and help them.
- Article 4: Ethnicities having no exact territory of compact inhabiting should receive national cultural autonomy.
Musavat became the 10th largest party elected to the Russian Constituent Assembly
Russian Constituent Assembly
The All Russian Constituent Assembly was a constitutional body convened in Russia after the October Revolution of 1917. It is generally reckoned as the first democratically elected legislative body of any kind in Russian history. It met for 13 hours, from 4 p.m...
(1918).
Musavat in ADR Government
After the disintegration of Russian Empire and declaration of independence of AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, Musavat became the leading party of newly established Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first successful attempt to establish a democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world . The ADR was founded on May 28, 1918 after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917 by Azerbaijani National Council in...
, holding majority of mandates in its parliaments, at first in Azerbaijani National Council
Azerbaijani National Council
Azerbaijani National Council was the first delegated legislative body of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic from 27 May 1918 to 17 June 1918 and again from 16 November 1918 to 3 December 1918...
and then in Parlaman ("parliament"), Rasulzade being its first head of state(28 May 1918 - 7 December 1918). Under the Musavat's leadership, Azerbaijan in 1918 became the first secular democracy in the Muslim world. A year later, in 1919, Azerbaijani women were granted the right to vote, several years before the U.S. and some European countries.
The following Musavat members held positions in successive ADR governments
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first successful attempt to establish a democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world . The ADR was founded on May 28, 1918 after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917 by Azerbaijani National Council in...
:
First cabinet (May 28, 1918 - June 17, 1918)
- Kh. SultanovKhosrov bey SultanovKhosrov bey Sultanov Pasha bey oglu , also spelled as Khosrow Sultanov, was an Azerbaijani statesman, General Governor of Karabakh and Minister of Defense of Azerbaijani Democratic Republic.-Early life:...
- Minister of Defense - Mammad Hassan HajinskiMammad Hasan HajinskiMammad Hasan Jafargulu oglu Hajinski was an Azerbaijani architect and statesman. He also served as a Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the last Prime Minister of ADR.-Early life:...
- Minister of Foreign AffairsMinistry of Foreign Affairs (Azerbaijan)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is a Cabinet-level governmental agency in Azerbaijan Republic in charge of conducting and designing Azerbaijani Foreign policy.- History :... - Nasib bey YusifbeyliNasib YusifbeyliNasib Yusif oglu Yusifbeyli or Usubbeyov - Azerbaijani publicist, statesman and major political figure in Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.-Early years:Nasib Yusifbeyli was born in 1881 in Elisavetpol...
- Minister of Finance and National EducationMinistry of Finance (Azerbaijan)The Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan Republic is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of regulating the financial sector in Azerbaijan Republic. The ministry is headed by Samir Sharifov.-History:... - M. Y. JafarovMammad Yusif Jafarov-Early life:Jafarov was born was born on March 14, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was the younger brother of a prominent professor and journalist, Ali Isgender Jafarzadeh. After completion of his secondary education, Jafarov studied in at Moscow State University graduating with a cum laude degree in law...
- Minister of Trade and IndustryMinistry of Industry and Energy (Azerbaijan)The Ministry of Industry and Energy of Azerbaijan Republic is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of regulating the activities in the industry production and energy sector of Azerbaijan Republic. The ministry is headed by Natig Aliyev.-History:The ministry was...
Second cabinet (June 17, 1918 - December 7, 1918)Second cabinet of Azerbaijan Democratic RepublicSecond cabinet of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic governed Azerbaijan Democratic Republic between June 17, 1918 and December 7, 1918. It was formed after the first cabinet of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic dissolved and was led by Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Fatali Khan Khoyski with the following...
- Mammad Hassan Hajinski - Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Nasib bey Yusifbeyli - Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs
- Kh. Sultanov - actingActing (law)In law, when someone is said to be acting in a position it can mean one of three things.*The position has not yet been formally created.*The person is only occupying the position temporarily, to ensure continuity.*The person does not have a mandate....
Minister of Defense; Envoy to KarabakhKarabakhThe Karabakh horse , also known as Karabakh, is a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse. It is named after the geographic region where the horse was originally developed, Karabakh in the Southern Caucasus, an area that is de jure part of Azerbaijan but the highland part of which is currently...
and ZangezurZangezurZangezur may refer to:* Syunik, alternative name of an Armenian geographic-historic region, nowadays one of the provinces of Armenia* Kapan, former name of a city in Armenia... - Musa bey RafiyevMusa bey RafiyevMusa bey Rafiyev Haji Mammadhuseyn oglu , also known as Musa bey Rafibeyli , was an Azerbaijani statesman who served as Special Minister in care of Social Security and Refugee Affairs in the second cabinet, Minister of Social Security and Healthcare in the fourth cabinet of Azerbaijan Democratic...
- Minister of Social Security and Religious AffairsState Committee for Work with Religious Organizations (Azerbaijan)The State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic , also known as State Committee for Work with Religious Associations is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of regulation of activities of religious organizations and ensuring freedom of... - Kh. KhasmammedovKhalil KhasmammadovKhalil bey Khasmammadov was an Azerbaijani public figure, politician and diplomat. He served as a Member of the First and Second State Duma of the Russian Empire, Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Justice of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, and as the first Ambassador of Azerbaijan to...
- State Minister of Internal Affairs
Third cabinet (December 12, 1918 - March 14, 1919)
- Kh. Khasmammedov - Minister of Interior
- Nasib bey Yusifbeyli - Minister of Education and Religious Affairs
- Kh. Sultanov - Minister of Agriculture
Fourth cabinet (March 14, 1919 - December 22, 1919)
- Nasib bey Yusifbeyli - Chair of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister)
- M. Y. Jafarov - Minister of Foreign Affairs
- N. Narimanbeyli - State Inspector
- Kh. Khasmammedov - Minister of Interior
Fifth cabinet (December 12, 1919 - April 1, 1920)
- Nasib bey Yusifbeyli - Chair of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister)
- Mammad Hassan Hajinski - Minister of Interior
- Kh. Khasmammedov - Minister of Justice
- M. Rafiyev - Minister of Social Welfare and Health
After the fall of the first Republic in April 1920 as a result of the Bolshevik invasion, Musavat switched to secret activities again, by forming a secret committee, in which even famous Azeri playwright Jafar Jabbarli participated. Committee's most famous action was the preparation of the Rasulzade's flight from the Russian SFSR to Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. Overall, Musavat prepared and conducted several armed insurgents, e.g. rebellions of Ganja, Karabakh,Zagatala and Lankoran. But Soviets also repressed Musavat by arresting at least 2 000 members of Musavat until 1923. Most prominent Musavat members thus were killed, exiled or escaped abroad and party ceased its activities in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
in 1923.
Musavat in exile
Activities of Musavat in exile begin in the end of 1922 and in the beginning of 1923. in order to coordinate and lead these activities Mammed Amin RasulzadeMammed Amin Rasulzade
Mammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
established a Foreign Bureau of Musavat in 1923, but also created the Azerbaijani National Center in order to coordinate their activity with other Azeri political immigrants not affiliated with Musavat. Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
became the center of Musavat-in-exile in 1920s and early 30s, before moving to Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
in late 1940s.
Members of the Foreign Bureau
- Mammed Amin RasulzadeMammed Amin RasulzadeMammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
, chairman - Mirza Bala Mammedzadeh, secretary
- Khalil bey Khasmammadov, treasurer
- Shafi bey Rustambeyov
- Mustafa Vakilov
- Mammad Sadig Akhundzadeh
- Abbasgulu Kazimzadeh
Members of the Azerbaijani National Center
- Mammed Amin Rasulzade
- Khalil bey Khasmammadov
- Mustafa Vakilov
- Akbar agha SheykhulislamovAkbar agha SheykhulislamovAkbar agha Sheykhulislamov was an Azerbaijani public figure and politician. He served in the First cabinet of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as its Minister of Agriculture and Labor.-Early life and career:...
- Abdulali bey AmirjanovAbdulali bey AmirjanovAbdulali bey Amirjanov Shirali bey oglu was an Azerbaijani statesman who served as Minister of Finance, State Controller of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, and was member of Azerbaijani National Council and later Parliament of Azerbaijan.-Early years:...
Chairmen of Musavat in exile
- Mammed Amin RasulzadeMammed Amin RasulzadeMammad Amin Rasulzade was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan...
(1917–1955) - Mirza Bala Mammedzadeh (1955–1959)
- Kerim Oder (1959–1981)
- Mammad Azer Aran (1981–1992)
Newspapers and journals published by Musavat party in exile
- Yeni Kafkasya journal (1923–1928, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) - Azeri Turk journal (1928–1929, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) - Odlu Yurdu journal (1929–1931, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
- Bildirish newspaper (1930–1931, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) - Azerbaycan Yurd Bilgisi journal (1932–1934, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) - Istiklal newspaper (1932-?, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) - Kurtulush journal (1934–1938, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) - Musavat Bulleteni (1936-?, PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) - Azerbaijan (1952-nowadays, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
)
New Musavat
The resurrection of Musavat in Azerbaijan came in 1989, during the second independence of Azerbaijan. A group of intellectuals created Azerbaijan National Democratic New Musavat Party. Later that group formed Restoration Center of Musavat party and was recognized by Musavat-in-exile. in 1992 delegates of New Musavat and Musavat-in-exile gathered in III Congress of Musavat and re-established party as Musavat Party. One of the leaders of Popular Front, Isa GambarIsa Gambar
Isa Yunis oglu Qambar , also known as Isa Gambar or Isa Qambar , is an Azerbaijani politician and leader of Equality Party , the largest opposition block in Azerbaijan.-Biography details:...
was elected its chairmen. He remains its leader up to date.The party structure consists of "Başqan" (Leader), "Divan" (Executive Board), and "Məclis" (Congress).
Since 1993, Musavat was in the opposition to the ruling New Azerbaijan Party
New Azerbaijan Party
The New Azerbaijan Party is the ruling political party in Azerbaijan. It was formed on 18 December 1992 by the former President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, who led it until his retirement and death in 2003...
. At the last elections
Elections in Azerbaijan
Elections in Azerbaijan gives information on election and election results in Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people; before a referendum changed this in 2009, the position was...
(5 November 2000 and 7 January 2001), the party won 4.9 % of the popular vote and 2 out of 125 seats. As party's candidate, its leader Isa Qambar won 12.2 % of the popular vote in the 15 October 2003 presidential elections
Azerbaijan presidential election, 2003
A presidential election was held in Azerbaijan on October 15, 2003. As expected, Ilham Aliyev, son of the outgoing president, Heydar Aliyev, was easily elected in an election which international observers held not to be free or fair....
. At the parliamentary elections
Azerbaijan parliamentary election, 2005
The 2005 Azerbaijan parliamentary election was held on November 6. It pitted candidates of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party against opposition led by the Azadlıq bloc of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, the Equality Party and Azerbaijan Democratic Party. The polling stations closed 19:00...
of 6 November 2005, it joined the Freedom
Freedom (Azerbaijan)
Freedom was an electoral alliance of the Musavat , the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and the Azerbaijan Democratic Party ....
alliance, and won inside the alliance 5 seats. Musavat is also known for its protests against the Azerbaijani government such as that took place on 16 October 2003, after Isa Qambar had lost the election as well as on March 12, 2011.