By Asiya Mahar,
Visiting Research Fellow at Centre for Strategic Studies (SAM) under the President of Republic of Azerbaijan;
Assistant Research Officer, Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Islamabad, Pakistan.
It is in fact a coincidence of pleasure for me that my one month stay at Baku has matched with a date when Azerbaijani’s are celebrating their Republic day. Firstly, I pay heartiest congratulations to all Azerbaijani’s for sustaining their independence with vision, cordial political-civil relationship and owing sincerity and determination to their land.
There is a lot to say, lot to share, and a short article cannot deliver it all. In addition, may be my impressions sound undeveloped, non-agreeable but they do are well thought of because a researchers foremost responsibility is to see the facts, compare them with actual situation on ground, convey them objectively to the readers and leave it on the readers to make their opinion themselves.
There exists a clear distinction between sharing knowledge and creating opinion, and my job is the first one.
Having said that; I will present my impressions about Baku from three different viewpoints that I experience daily, first as a researcher and professional, second as a common man and third as a traveler or explorer.
As a researcher, I find Baku as a city with professional work environment that will keep you busy and you will not get enough spare time out during work hours to experience bore kind of feeling, as everyone is busy doing something better than the previous day and their exist a healthier competition that motivates you to do this, do that, organize this meeting, generate this idea, write new article, have discussions, debates, lectures etc. and build your understanding as much as you wish to.
I am pleased to see the quick process of book, article, report writing and publishing; for the reason that if you want to do something progressive no one will stop you rather people around you will extend every kind of help to assist you go through every stage of the process. I would like to pay gratitude to my colleagues at Centre for Strategic Studies (SAM) under the President of Republic of Azerbaijan for boosting my keenness for research work.
Moreover, this impression isn’t the outcome of experience of working at one place only, I visited ADA University and observed the professional environment there too, plus I was here for a conference last year and the way it was organized was exemplary in every sense. Moreover, as I keep searching for different events happening around the city, I find out them too many that they offer opportunity for every person to select as per his/her field of interest.
Coming over to impressions as a common man, the very first thing I want to share being a female is that it is the safest place for girls to live in. No one bothers you; you as a person are free to move around the city without any fear at any time. This is because the society here treats you not as an opposite gender but as an equal human being. Anyone can go sit in the park, study, observe nature, analyze the architecture, modern technological developments, think about the well-managed, clean and peaceful surroundings, go to the restaurants have fun, or go to the sea for cruising, dining etc. In sum, you will get an activity matching with your individual interests and you are free to opt.
If I talk about lifestyle, you are free to follow it on your choice; the state doesn’t interfere in personal matters, and mostly people are European in their outlook.
I still feel funny as on first day when I wore Abaya (“cloak", sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Muslim world including in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula) and went out I had a fear of being arrested by police as I had the information in my mind that in some countries people have displeasure for that appearance and its forbidden; so I was just wondering if it’s allowed in Baku too or not. But on my way, I came across many girls and women wearing it and I had a sigh of relief. What pleased me is their kindness as they say you Salams when you pass nearby them. In sum, people respect you for how good or bad human being you are, except that they have no concern with you. For instance, I am a Muslim girl, who by her own choice is following Islam, covers herself, don’t shake hands with males, offers prayers and do whatever I do to fulfill my commitment towards my belief, and for that I haven’t experienced different face or behavioral expressions. I really feel respect for the Azeri society for their kind dealing of human beings.
Moreover, as a common man, I observe equal treatment of state for every citizen in terms of providence of basic household facilities, education, job, laws and justice. Azerbaijani’s live disciplined life and they follow rules out of their perception that it’s good for them irrespective of the fact that police is strict with those who will try to break the rules.
Before coming to Azerbaijan, I also came across and read reports published by different international organizations criticizing and ranking Azerbaijan low on human rights on the basis that the country isn’t practicing democratic norms. But after being here, seeing the satisfaction with which people are living their life, specifically after coming across the attendance of the huge numbers of Azeri’s participated (though they had many other options to go and visit other places) for celebrations of Hyder Aliyev’s 91st Birthday on 11th May; some serious questions are finding answers in my mind. In terms of human rights too, the facts on ground are that Azerbaijan has effectively achieved the target of reducing poverty from 46% to 4% and has in a commendable way accommodated the forced migrants of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Being a student of International relations, political system and its performance matters for me more than the terms with which we are prone to call them. To the critics, I would say there exists problems everywhere, we should extend our help to areas where help indeed is needed and let the Azerbaijanis live, instead of overstraining ourselves with white man’s burden concept.
Lastly, about the impressions of Baku as Explorer or Traveler, this city holds treasures for every one whether you are interested in historical adventures, museums, sculptural art, latest technological developments, natural parks and beauty, magnificent Caspian, theatrical performances, cuisine of different continents, shopping, fun, travelling, exploring etc. I would like to share few tips for travelers, if you planning to come here just learn some basic Azeri words and sentences as majority speaks and understands Azeri language, everything has its name in Azeri e.g. streets, food items, places etc.
For good variety of cuisine, visit City Centre (Nizami Street, Fountain Square and around) and you will find multiple restaurants. If you want to see and explore the city, Metro Trains and buses run all the day from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, just have with you the travel route of Metro Train and when you go to station, show it to anyone and ask when this stop will come and people are kind enough to guide and help you. For buses, before moving out check which bus goes to an area where you want to go to, then move to bus stop near you and usually you will not have to wait for more than 5 minutes.
For shopping lovers, Baku is bit expensive like other Capital cities around the world, but you will have no trouble finding a shop or a mall here. So, have a great shopping!
Summing it up, as I mentioned earlier, conveying impressions of Baku in one article is not enough to justify with the title, because on each place you visit, you can write one article. I will try to keep writing, but the brain of International Relations scholar inside me, demands me to write on and focus on politics related stuff. For whoever is going to visit Baku, I have a request that you should contribute an article sharing your impressions, as it will help the people who are visiting next.
Happy Republic Day to Azerbaijani’s again and may Baku (the city of lights) stay illuminated always.
Article Published by:
News.Az : http://www.news.az/articles/society/89012
Azer News : http://www.azernews.az/analysis/67563.html
Visiting Research Fellow at Centre for Strategic Studies (SAM) under the President of Republic of Azerbaijan;
Assistant Research Officer, Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Islamabad, Pakistan.
There is a lot to say, lot to share, and a short article cannot deliver it all. In addition, may be my impressions sound undeveloped, non-agreeable but they do are well thought of because a researchers foremost responsibility is to see the facts, compare them with actual situation on ground, convey them objectively to the readers and leave it on the readers to make their opinion themselves.
There exists a clear distinction between sharing knowledge and creating opinion, and my job is the first one.
Having said that; I will present my impressions about Baku from three different viewpoints that I experience daily, first as a researcher and professional, second as a common man and third as a traveler or explorer.
As a researcher, I find Baku as a city with professional work environment that will keep you busy and you will not get enough spare time out during work hours to experience bore kind of feeling, as everyone is busy doing something better than the previous day and their exist a healthier competition that motivates you to do this, do that, organize this meeting, generate this idea, write new article, have discussions, debates, lectures etc. and build your understanding as much as you wish to.
I am pleased to see the quick process of book, article, report writing and publishing; for the reason that if you want to do something progressive no one will stop you rather people around you will extend every kind of help to assist you go through every stage of the process. I would like to pay gratitude to my colleagues at Centre for Strategic Studies (SAM) under the President of Republic of Azerbaijan for boosting my keenness for research work.
Moreover, this impression isn’t the outcome of experience of working at one place only, I visited ADA University and observed the professional environment there too, plus I was here for a conference last year and the way it was organized was exemplary in every sense. Moreover, as I keep searching for different events happening around the city, I find out them too many that they offer opportunity for every person to select as per his/her field of interest.
Coming over to impressions as a common man, the very first thing I want to share being a female is that it is the safest place for girls to live in. No one bothers you; you as a person are free to move around the city without any fear at any time. This is because the society here treats you not as an opposite gender but as an equal human being. Anyone can go sit in the park, study, observe nature, analyze the architecture, modern technological developments, think about the well-managed, clean and peaceful surroundings, go to the restaurants have fun, or go to the sea for cruising, dining etc. In sum, you will get an activity matching with your individual interests and you are free to opt.
If I talk about lifestyle, you are free to follow it on your choice; the state doesn’t interfere in personal matters, and mostly people are European in their outlook.
I still feel funny as on first day when I wore Abaya (“cloak", sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Muslim world including in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula) and went out I had a fear of being arrested by police as I had the information in my mind that in some countries people have displeasure for that appearance and its forbidden; so I was just wondering if it’s allowed in Baku too or not. But on my way, I came across many girls and women wearing it and I had a sigh of relief. What pleased me is their kindness as they say you Salams when you pass nearby them. In sum, people respect you for how good or bad human being you are, except that they have no concern with you. For instance, I am a Muslim girl, who by her own choice is following Islam, covers herself, don’t shake hands with males, offers prayers and do whatever I do to fulfill my commitment towards my belief, and for that I haven’t experienced different face or behavioral expressions. I really feel respect for the Azeri society for their kind dealing of human beings.
Moreover, as a common man, I observe equal treatment of state for every citizen in terms of providence of basic household facilities, education, job, laws and justice. Azerbaijani’s live disciplined life and they follow rules out of their perception that it’s good for them irrespective of the fact that police is strict with those who will try to break the rules.
Before coming to Azerbaijan, I also came across and read reports published by different international organizations criticizing and ranking Azerbaijan low on human rights on the basis that the country isn’t practicing democratic norms. But after being here, seeing the satisfaction with which people are living their life, specifically after coming across the attendance of the huge numbers of Azeri’s participated (though they had many other options to go and visit other places) for celebrations of Hyder Aliyev’s 91st Birthday on 11th May; some serious questions are finding answers in my mind. In terms of human rights too, the facts on ground are that Azerbaijan has effectively achieved the target of reducing poverty from 46% to 4% and has in a commendable way accommodated the forced migrants of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Being a student of International relations, political system and its performance matters for me more than the terms with which we are prone to call them. To the critics, I would say there exists problems everywhere, we should extend our help to areas where help indeed is needed and let the Azerbaijanis live, instead of overstraining ourselves with white man’s burden concept.
Lastly, about the impressions of Baku as Explorer or Traveler, this city holds treasures for every one whether you are interested in historical adventures, museums, sculptural art, latest technological developments, natural parks and beauty, magnificent Caspian, theatrical performances, cuisine of different continents, shopping, fun, travelling, exploring etc. I would like to share few tips for travelers, if you planning to come here just learn some basic Azeri words and sentences as majority speaks and understands Azeri language, everything has its name in Azeri e.g. streets, food items, places etc.
For good variety of cuisine, visit City Centre (Nizami Street, Fountain Square and around) and you will find multiple restaurants. If you want to see and explore the city, Metro Trains and buses run all the day from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, just have with you the travel route of Metro Train and when you go to station, show it to anyone and ask when this stop will come and people are kind enough to guide and help you. For buses, before moving out check which bus goes to an area where you want to go to, then move to bus stop near you and usually you will not have to wait for more than 5 minutes.
For shopping lovers, Baku is bit expensive like other Capital cities around the world, but you will have no trouble finding a shop or a mall here. So, have a great shopping!
Summing it up, as I mentioned earlier, conveying impressions of Baku in one article is not enough to justify with the title, because on each place you visit, you can write one article. I will try to keep writing, but the brain of International Relations scholar inside me, demands me to write on and focus on politics related stuff. For whoever is going to visit Baku, I have a request that you should contribute an article sharing your impressions, as it will help the people who are visiting next.
Happy Republic Day to Azerbaijani’s again and may Baku (the city of lights) stay illuminated always.
Article Published by:
News.Az : http://www.news.az/articles/society/89012
Azer News : http://www.azernews.az/analysis/67563.html
