Araz News: Prominent South Azerbaijani researcher, writer, turcologist and surgeon, Prof. Dr. Javad Heyat has been commemorated in 40^th day of his death via events in Tabriz, Baku and Washngton DC.

Prof. Dr. Javad Heyat passed away and is buried in Baku, Capital of Republic of Azerbaijan. The funeral ceremony was held in Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan on 15^th August 2014.

Many prominent figures of Azerbaijani societies from the North and the South and representatives of government of Azerbaijan took part in the funeral ceremony.

Prof. Dr. Javad Heyat is buried in Fakhri cemetery in Baku which is a ceremonial cemetery. Many prominent and important personalities of Azerbaijan are buried in Fakhri cemetery.

Iranian authorities did not allow him to be buried in Tabriz despite his last testament and demands of his family and people of South Azerbaijan. Iranian government was concerned about huge gathering for the funeral and turning the funeral to anti-government rally.

Prof. Dr. Javad Heyat is founder and editorial director of “Varliq” (Existence) journal which is being published since 1979. Varliq, the only Azerbaijani Turkish publication that could survive from severe censorship in Iran have played a key role in protecting Azerbaijani Turkic language, culture and identity in South Azerbaijan.