The 12th of January is a mournful day in Turkmenistan when the ceremonies in commemoration of heroes fallen during a fierce battle defending the Geoktepe fortress take place throughout the country. The flags were lowered throughout Turkmenistan to mark Memory Day. This day the Turkmen people mourned over their heroes and bowed down before their fortitude. They mourned over those old men, women and young citizens of the Geoktepe fortress who together with valorous defenders withstood the superior numbers of enemy troops and those innocent victims who spilled their blood for the native land.
The prayers commemorating Turkmen heroes who had sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Motherland and all those who had died a hero’s death for the bright future of the Turkmen people on January 12, 1881 were offered up in the halls of the cathedral mosque in the magnificent memorial complex erected on the place where the fierce battle took place.
A National Museum built near the mosque in an integral architectural ensemble of the Geoktepe memorial has become an embodiment of the deep gratitude of contemporaries to our courageous ancestors, a symbol of the unbending strength of will of the Turkmen people. As if alive witnesses, over 1,300 exhibits of the museum dedicated to the defenders of the legendary citadel tell about one of the most tragic pages of our history.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the ceremony in commemoration of the best sons and daughters of the Fatherland who had sacrificed their lives for freedom and independence of the Motherland and protected the national identity and dignity.
The cabinet ministers, the heads of the Mejlis, military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, diplomatic missions and representations accredited to Turkmenistan, khyakims of Ashgabat and velayats, members of the public organisations, journalists, mullahs, businessmen and young citizens of the region participated in the ceremony. The ceremony venue was the square in front of the mosque that is a spiritual temple and architectural monument to courageous defenders of the fortress.
The Mufti of Turkmenistan, the Chairman of the Council for religion under the President of Turkmenistan, the imam of Geoktepe Etrap, cabinet ministers, the heads of the Mejlis, military and law enforcement agencies and khyakims of Ashgabat and velayats greeted the Turkmen leader.
The orchestra of the Special guard of honour performed the National Anthem of Turkmenistan. Then a representative of the Turkmen youth swore fidelity to the Fatherland and a representative of the National Army swore allegiance to the sacred Motherland, the Turkmen people and the President of Turkmenistan.
On the square in front of the Geoktepe Mosque theatrical artists and musicians presented a bright theatrical and musical performance dedicated to courageous defenders of the Geoktepe fortress. The baton of the heroic and glorious traditions of the Turkmen people was symbolically passed to the younger generation during the performance.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov talked to the elders about their everyday concerns and wished them good health and long life. Then the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and ceremony participants entered the Geoktepe Mosque where they participated in a public prayer. The prayers commemorating Turkmen heroes who had sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Motherland and all those who had died a hero’s death for the bright future of the Turkmen people were offered up in the halls of the Geoktepe Mosque crowded with ceremony participants.
The Turkmen leader left the Mosque after the public prayer was concluded. The President headed to the building where a commemorative sadaqa would take place.
Before the traditional meal, the ceremony participants offered up the prayers for the peace of the souls of victims of the Battle of Geoktepe and all those who had sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Motherland, for peace and cohesion, prosperity and wellbeing of the native land.
Then the Turkmen leader addressed ceremony participants. “Let Allah Almighty accept and bless all sadaqahs each of you are giving on the Memorial Day as a tribute to the memory of your deceased relatives and the prayers being offered up today for peace and wellbeing of our independent Motherland and the Turkmen people.” Bidding farewell to the ceremony participants, the President of Turkmenistan left the venue.
On that day the commemorative ceremonies, public prayers and sadaqahs took place in the capital and all regions of the country.
The prayers commemorating Turkmen heroes who had sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Motherland and all those who had died a hero’s death for the bright future of the Turkmen people on January 12, 1881 were offered up in the halls of the cathedral mosque in the magnificent memorial complex erected on the place where the fierce battle took place.
A National Museum built near the mosque in an integral architectural ensemble of the Geoktepe memorial has become an embodiment of the deep gratitude of contemporaries to our courageous ancestors, a symbol of the unbending strength of will of the Turkmen people. As if alive witnesses, over 1,300 exhibits of the museum dedicated to the defenders of the legendary citadel tell about one of the most tragic pages of our history.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the ceremony in commemoration of the best sons and daughters of the Fatherland who had sacrificed their lives for freedom and independence of the Motherland and protected the national identity and dignity.
The cabinet ministers, the heads of the Mejlis, military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, diplomatic missions and representations accredited to Turkmenistan, khyakims of Ashgabat and velayats, members of the public organisations, journalists, mullahs, businessmen and young citizens of the region participated in the ceremony. The ceremony venue was the square in front of the mosque that is a spiritual temple and architectural monument to courageous defenders of the fortress.
The Mufti of Turkmenistan, the Chairman of the Council for religion under the President of Turkmenistan, the imam of Geoktepe Etrap, cabinet ministers, the heads of the Mejlis, military and law enforcement agencies and khyakims of Ashgabat and velayats greeted the Turkmen leader.
The orchestra of the Special guard of honour performed the National Anthem of Turkmenistan. Then a representative of the Turkmen youth swore fidelity to the Fatherland and a representative of the National Army swore allegiance to the sacred Motherland, the Turkmen people and the President of Turkmenistan.
On the square in front of the Geoktepe Mosque theatrical artists and musicians presented a bright theatrical and musical performance dedicated to courageous defenders of the Geoktepe fortress. The baton of the heroic and glorious traditions of the Turkmen people was symbolically passed to the younger generation during the performance.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov talked to the elders about their everyday concerns and wished them good health and long life. Then the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and ceremony participants entered the Geoktepe Mosque where they participated in a public prayer. The prayers commemorating Turkmen heroes who had sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Motherland and all those who had died a hero’s death for the bright future of the Turkmen people were offered up in the halls of the Geoktepe Mosque crowded with ceremony participants.
The Turkmen leader left the Mosque after the public prayer was concluded. The President headed to the building where a commemorative sadaqa would take place.
Before the traditional meal, the ceremony participants offered up the prayers for the peace of the souls of victims of the Battle of Geoktepe and all those who had sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Motherland, for peace and cohesion, prosperity and wellbeing of the native land.
Then the Turkmen leader addressed ceremony participants. “Let Allah Almighty accept and bless all sadaqahs each of you are giving on the Memorial Day as a tribute to the memory of your deceased relatives and the prayers being offered up today for peace and wellbeing of our independent Motherland and the Turkmen people.” Bidding farewell to the ceremony participants, the President of Turkmenistan left the venue.
On that day the commemorative ceremonies, public prayers and sadaqahs took place in the capital and all regions of the country.