CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
Honoring the memory of martyrs and departed who gave their lives for every step of the Motherland and demonstrated a high example of courage, fearlessness and heroism, reciting verses and prayers for the benefit of their souls, as well as giving alms — some of the noble traditions and customs of our united people, passed down to us from the depths of centuries and instilled in the school of excellence.
Thanks to the great care of our National Leader of the Turkmen people our Hero Arkadag these traditions continue to be refined in their content. These traditions, which play a important role in nurturing patriotic generations devoted to the people and sacred land, spiritually and morally perfect, remain an unshakable principle of our lives in the new historical era under the leadership of our Hero Arkadagly Serdar. In our beloved Homeland, the Homeland of Peace, according to our national calendar, every year on October 6th, our beloved people honor the memory of the heroes who fell in the battles of the Great Patriotic War and Battle of Geokdepe, which left an indelible mark on history, as well as our compatriots and fellow countrymen who perished in the terrible natural disaster — Ashgabat earthquake on the night of October 6th, 1948.
There is a folk saying: “Öli aýatdan doýmaz, diri-hezzetden.” Yes, remembering the dead and praying for them – is one of the ancient, kind traditions of our people. In this regard, one of the poems of our famous poet Kerim Gurbannepesov contains the wise lines: “Ölüsini sylamak diriniň däbi, köşek.” On Memorial Day national flags are lowered throughout the country, memory of our compatriots who fell in battle for the freedom of the Motherland is honored and in memory of that tragic night of 1948, as the elders say, sacrifices are made in homes and hearths and verses are recited. A wreath-laying ceremony is taking place at the “Halk hakydasy” memorial complex in our capital.
The monument “Ruhy tagzym” erected in the complex in memory of those who died during the earthquake of 1948, as well as the monuments “Milletiň ogullary” and “Baky şöhrat” erected in memory of the Turkmen soldiers – who died in the battles of the Great Patriotic War and the heroes who fought for the freedom of our beloved Motherland and its happy future, reflect the heroic history of our people.
The national memory – is a reflection of the great victories, achievements and heroism of our valiant fathers, immortalized in history. Although 77 years have passed since the Ashgabat earthquake, one of the most tragic events in the history of the Turkmen people, the memory of this event still lives in the hearts of every Turkmen.
It is worth noting that Berdimuhamed Annayev — the grandfather of our Hero Arkadag and the great-grandfather of our Hero Arkadagly Serdar, who demonstrated courage alongside the brave sons of the Turkmen land in the fierce battles of the 1941-1945 war and died on that tragic night — deserves special respect. His life – is an example of true patriotism and devotion to duty for Turkmen youth.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people our Hero Arkadag says with profound wisdom: “Honoring the memory of the departed – is a noble humanistic tradition of our ancestors, dating back centuries. It truly connects the past and the present, helping the new generation of Turkmens move forward toward a brighter future.” Therefore, patriotism and respect for heroes remain among the spiritual principles of the Turkmen people today.
After the war, fate dealt the Turkmen people another ordeal. On October 6, 1948, at 1:12 a.m., an earthquake in Ashgabat took the lives of thousands of our compatriots and completely destroyed beautiful Ashgabat. This loss was a profound loss and grief not only for the residents of Ashgabat, but for the entire Turkmen nation. Despite being deprived of even the most basic living conditions during those years, the people of Ashgabat did not abandon their city, but enthusiastically and wholeheartedly joined in the restoration of their beloved city. As a result of persistent work, life in the city quickly began to revive. Railway transport was restored within two days and industrial production within a month. A master plan for the restoration of Ashgabat was developed and construction of new types of buildings began in the city.
Our people successfully overcame the difficult trials of their history and restored their beloved Ashgabat. Today, our white-marble Ashgabat, which has become one of the most unique capitals in the world and earned the title of “Pearl of Asia” thanks to the urban development program of Honored Architect of Turkmenistan Hero Arkadag has entered a new stage of development thanks to the successful continuation of our National Leader’s initiatives by Hero Arkadagly Serdar.
May the donations, prayers and good wishes offered in honor of our deceased heroes and martyrs on Memorial Day be accepted by the great Allah!
We wish our Hero Arkadagly Serdar and the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero Arkadag, who confidently lead our Independent, permanently Neutral Motherland forward to a bright future along the noble path of the Revival of a new epoch of a powerful state, guided by humane goals and principles, health, long life and success in their historically capacious endeavors!
Hekimberdi Ovezov,
secretary-referent of apparatus of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.