The exemplary life and brilliant activity of Zarifa Aliyeva, one of our country's most prominent intellectuals, have always illuminated our history and honored our national and spiritual characteristics. Academician Zarifa Aziz gizi Aliyeva, a prominent ophthalmologist-scientist of her time, was born on April 28, 1923, in the village of Shakhtakhti, Sharur district, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The family environment in which Zarifa Khanum was born and raised had a great impact on her formation as a true historical figure.
Zarifa Khanum's adolescence and youth coincided with World War II. Based on the memories of witnesses, we can say that almost every day after school, she and her classmates went to the nearby military hospital, tried to help doctors and nurses, and assisted wounded soldiers in writing letters to their families. This very event led to the formation of her life's purpose and worldview. Hearing and seeing that healing the sick was among the highest values, Zarifa Aliyeva saw herself precisely in this profession. In 1942, after graduating from high school and entering the Faculty of Treatment and Prevention of the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute, Zarifa Khanum earned the deep respect of her teachers and fellow students with her profound intellect, worldview, and high cultural level. As we know, in the middle of the last century, trachoma, an eye disease, was widespread worldwide, affecting up to 400 million people. However, since the field of ophthalmology was not very developed at that time, people suffered from many eye diseases, including trachoma. It was for this reason that Zarifa Aliyeva decided to fight against this disease that incapacitated the organs of sight. Thanks to her tireless scientific activity, the treatment of this disease became possible, preventing thousands of people from being deprived of the light of the world.
One of Zarifa Aliyeva's main strengths was her genuine human qualities. Combining all noble qualities, Zarifa Khanum created the ideal image of an Azerbaijani woman. For her invaluable services in the field of medicine, Zarifa Aliyeva was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Scientist" in 1980 and the Academician M.I. Averbakh Prize of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences in 1981. She was the first woman scientist in the Soviet Union to receive such a high award. In 1983, the prominent scientist was elected a full member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Zarifa Khanum was also a member of the Presidium of the All-Union Society of Ophthalmologists, the Soviet Peace Defense Committee, the Board of the Azerbaijan Ophthalmology Society, and the editorial board of the journal "Vestnik oftalmologu" (Moscow). Alongside all these scientific, pedagogical, and medical achievements, Zarifa Khanum is also proudly remembered as a delicate woman, a caring mother, and a kind life partner. National leader Heydar Aliyev always respectfully commemorated Zarifa Aliyeva, who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with him in his difficult and honorable political career; "Zarifa Khanum was a very great scientist. When I started a life with her, she was already on the path of science, engaged in science. Her scientific activity is well-known. She was a very talented, very kind, and very simple person. I can talk a lot about this; for the survival of my family, for reaching these days, for the upbringing of my children, and for her invaluable role in my life, today I bow my head before Zarifa Khanum's grave. My children also share this sentiment. They have been raised and shaped with this sentiment.
Therefore, today is a sacred day for us." Today, the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, attributes his magnificent successes in life and activity primarily to the spirit of his father Heydar Aliyev and his mother Zarifa Aliyeva. First Vice President Mehriban Khanum considers herself a follower of Zarifa Aliyeva's path through her brilliant activity. From reflections on Zarifa Aliyeva, one realizes a truth: individuals who dedicate their lives to great moral ideals always live on in hearts.
Zahra Agaverdiyeva
Neftchala District