Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

California Governor Jerry Brown has congratulated the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani community in the western US state on the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, May 28.

In his letter sent to the Azerbaijani Consulate General in Los Angeles, Brown notes that Azerbaijan has a rich history and "the Azerbaijani people in California and throughout the globe take pride in their culture and heritage."

"Republic Day is a time to celebrate and link to your ancestral homeland. Today's celebration honors and preserves traditions that have contributed to California's culture and diversity," the letter said.

Brown concludes his congratulatory message by wishing the people of Azerbaijan and of Azerbaijani descent a happy Republic Day on behalf of the state of California.

On May 28, 1918, the first democratic republic in the Muslim world was established, which marked a glorious page in Azerbaijan's history. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic embraced European democratic values and the abundant cultural heritage of the East. All citizens of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic -- regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliation -- were granted the right to vote. Thus, women gained suffrage for the first time in the Islamic world.