My work for ADA in Baku

Today want to share something special with you. The post is written in English, because that was the language in which I have written an essay. Here you can see my work for the contest organized by ADA in Baku and a link to it:

https://www.adawriteshistory.com/post/can-hashtags-really-make-a-change?fbclid=IwAR38elJPVL3gv3qvXYpI8j1X8aS6u3FPXfimOGVpx7UVcueOyY6KxlO2AGc

Full text below:

The Patriotic War started a week before I was going to defend my bachelor's degree about the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict from Azerbaijani perspective. I did not expect that a new war would start in Nagorno-Karabakh. I think nobody expected this. I was afraid for civilians, of another start of terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan, of innocent people`s deaths. But it also gave me some hope, hope for Azerbaijan to end this near 30 years of occupation, for IDPs, some of whom now are not IDPs anymore. And the false propaganda has started…

I could not believe the words of some influencers` and celebrities. Supporting anybody without doing proper research, especially when you are famous is quite irresponsible. It shows disrespect for the true victims and international law. As a student and graduate of the best university in my country, I know that you first have to check every source of information before you spread it.

I was terrified that religion was being used as a weapon in the Armenians` hands. The connection the Western media makes between Islam and terrorism is obvious. It is so hard to imagine that you can be a Christian and a terrorist in one person. Well, as we see – it is absolutely possible. The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict is not a religious war. Moreover, Azerbaijani people are one of the most tolerant I have ever met. It is a country where nobody cares to whom you pray, or if you are an atheist. This is beautiful, with roots dating back to the 4th century and even further. My personal symbol of tolerance is a Polish Catholic church in the center of Baku.

Then, some good news came. More and more of my friends told me that thanks to Azerbaijani Army, they were no longer internally displaced persons. Their happiness is priceless. I was about to cry with them, cry the tears of happiness. The situation has changed. For the past two weeks, I have been checking every hour if there is any new information from the Azerbaijani President including names of newly liberated villages and towns. I check the Qarabağ Ağdam profile if there is more positive information. That is, by the way, my favorite team and I wish someday, I will have a pleasure to watch their match from the tribunes in the liberated Ağdam city.

My thoughts are with my Azerbaijani friends and non-Azerbaijani citizens who also support this country, willing only to liberate occupied territories. I cannot stand people saying that “Artsakh is Armenian”. How did it become like that? By expelling Azerbaijanis from their hometowns, by ethnic cleansings dating back to the 19th century. I have a dream: to drink tea in Shusha and to paint beautiful landscapes of Karabakh on canvas. And I do believe that someday I will have an honor to achieve this goal.

I am very sensitive when it comes to respecting international law. As an International Relations faculty graduate and Law student, violating human rights and UN resolutions shows the real, negative attitude and bad intentions to international society. Killing innocent children, attacking civil targets is forbidden. Country breaking this law is not a trustworthy partner and people responsible for that should be punished, but the world remains silent. Lack of information about war crimes committed by Armenians is harmful for Azerbaijanis and lets other nations act like that (if the world does not see their crimes, it would not be interested in

our future crimes). Silence gives an opportunity to repetition of such situation somewhere else, it is a serious threat, about which many people do not realize.

It is really hard to describe what you feel with words and when you are a foreigner. For me, Baku is my second home and Azerbaijan has a constant place in my heart. Azerbaijanis are very friendly, kind and helpful. I have not met such people before – supporting, understanding and polite. I know that Azerbaijan is home for over 100 nations and this multiculturalism is your treasure.

I come from Poland, a country which was home for everybody before religious tolerance was “trendy”. That is why I am horrified to know that much of your heritage in Karabakh was destroyed by the Armenians, and they try to convince the world that they want peace. For me, Azerbaijan is the only guarantor for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh and protector of cultural and historical heritage.