PROFILE: Mammad Amin Resulzadeh, Key figure for modern Azerbaijani identity

Mammad Amin Resulzadeh, the founder of one of the first democratic republics in the Muslim world, is being commemorated on the 65th anniversary of his demise.

Resulzadeh who played a key role in the formation of modern Azerbaijani identity and worked for the independence of his country, enlightening of society by the press and political activities, is commemorated both in Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Throughout his life, Resulzadeh made great efforts to defense of his people’s rights and Azerbaijan's independence.

Resulzadeh’s expression of ‘Once raised, the flag never falls!’ became the motto of the independence movement in Azerbaijan in the 20th century.

The first and only president of Azarbaijan Democratic Republic was born in Novhani village of Azerbaijan’s capital Baku in 1884. He received his education at the Russian-Muslim Secondary School and then at the Technical College in Baku.

He established an anti-monarchist ’Muslim Youth Organization Mussavat’, which was the first secret organization that sought national autonomy of Azerbaijan.

In 1903, Resulzadeh began writing in various opposition newspapers and magazines. One year later, Resulzadeh founded the first Muslim social-democrat organization "Hummet" and became editor-in-chief of its newspapers, "Takamul"(1906–1907) and "Yoldash"(1907).

He also actively participated in revolutionary developments during the First Russian Revolution. By a strange irony of fate, Resulzadeh saved young Joseph Stalin in 1905 in Baku, when police were searching for him as an active instigator of riots.

He had to flee Baku due to persecution from the Tsarist regime in 1909. Resulzadeh went to Iran where he began publishing ‘Iran-e Now’ (New Iran) and became one of the founders of the Democratic Party of Iran.

Following the Russian troops' invasion of Iran, Resulzadeh fled to Istanbul, the then capital of the Ottoman Empire.

In 1913, he went back to Baku and became a member of the Musavat (Equality) party. Four years later, he was elected chairman of Musavat Party.

One year later, Resulzadeh was unanimously elected the head of Azerbaijani National Council, which was formed by Azerbaijani intellectuals.

On May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijani National Council, headed by Rasulzadeh, declared the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

The same year, Ottoman and newly formed Azerbaijan signed an agreement of friendship and cooperation. Rasulzadeh inked the agreement on behalf of Azerbaijan.

Later in 1918, the Islamic Army of the Caucasus took Baku from Armenian gans and Bolsheviks. Enver Pasha, then minister of war, personally conveyed the message that Baku was liberated from Armenian gangs.

The Republic collapsed in 1920, Resulzadeh left Baku and directed resistance against Soviet Russia in Lahij. Soviet Russian army crushed the rebellion.

Resulzadeh was arrested and brought to Moscow. Although Stalin wanted Rasulzadeh to collaborate with Soviet Russia, Rasulzadeh refused Stalin’s offer and left Soviets.

For the rest of his life, Rasulzadeh lived in exile, in France, Finland, Poland, and Germany. He continued to publish various newspapers, magazines that are anti-Soviet Russia. He tried to make the world know that Azerbaijan was under Soviet occupation.

In 1947, Resulzadeh settled down in Turkey. He became a citizen of Turkey under a cabinet decree, then he established Azerbaijan Culture Association in Ankara. He continued to write many books, held conferences to expose the situation in Azerbaijan to the world.

Mammad Amin Resulzadeh died on March 6 in Ankara and was buried in Cebeci Asri cemetery in the Turkish capital.