BAKU. TurkicWorld:

My father Heydar Aliyev also paid special attention to his activities when he gained all-Union fame at a young age. I can actually say that my father treated him with fatherly care, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the unveiling ceremony for the monument to world-renowned singer Muslum Magomayev at the Baku Seaside National Park, TurkicWorld reports.

"As you may know, when Muslum Magomayev's father died heroically in the last days of World War II, Muslum was less than three 3 years of age. He grew up in the family of his uncle Jamaladdin. Of course, my father Heydar Aliyev also paid special attention to his activities when he gained all-Union fame at a young age. I can actually say that my father treated him with fatherly care. Because he knew him both as a great singer and as a very nice person. Each of us knew Muslum as a great performer, singer, composer, and most importantly, a wonderful person, a dignified person and a very reliable friend.

Although there was a significant age difference between us, we never felt it because we were friends for many years. I specifically remember the last meeting Mehriban and I had at Muslum’s and Tamara’s house in Moscow. Muslum's health was not so good anymore, he was having problems, but despite that, he welcomed us very sincerely. We spent several hours in their house and had a very sincere conversation, recalled the past, remembered my father, my late mother – we recalled those great days, and Mehriban and I got emotional. As you know, Muslum had certain problems with his legs in his last years. However, there was such a friendly atmosphere that Muslum, who hadn’t been going outside for years, came out to see us off. Little did we know that this was going to be our last meeting.

Both Tamara and Muslum were great performers and world-famous singers. They were so attached to each other that the story of their love and friendship is a legend. They met in Baku, and my late father always remembered those days.

Of course, talking about Muslum today is both easy and difficult. Because he was such a great personality, both as an artist and as a person. One can talk about him for hours. At the same time, while pointing to all of his talents, those who knew him closely, those who loved him, first of all, remember him as a person, of course. I am sure that you feel the same way," the head of state said.