Outstanding orientalist scientistHonored Scientist, Academician Vasim Mamedaliev made an important contribution to the development of oriental studies and theological sciences in Azerbaijan, leaving behind a rich scientific heritage. He was one of the initiators of promoting the scientific study of the Islamic religion in Azerbaijan. The scientist’s scientific research is widely used in the fields of Arabic linguistics and general linguistics, Islamic studies, Arab-Azerbaijani literary and cultural relations. In 1991, the prominent scientist V. Mamedaliyev, together with academician Ziya Buniyatov, translated the holy book of Muslims, the Koran, into the Azerbaijani language.
Day.Az, with reference to AZERTAC, examines some moments of the life and scientific work of academician Vasim Mamedaliyev on the day of honoring his memory.
Vasim Mamedali oglu Mamedaliev was born on August 27, 1942 in the city of Baku. After graduating from high school, in 1959-1964 he received a higher education at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the Azerbaijan State University, in 1964 he entered full-time graduate school at the university, was sent to Tbilisi and graduated from graduate school there in 1967.
Having started his career in 1968 at the Azerbaijan State University, Vasim Mamedaliyev worked here as the dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies in 1981-1991, as the vice-rector of the university for humanities in 1991-1992, as the dean of the Faculty of Theology in 1993-2018, from 1991 to At the end of his life he headed the department of Arabic philology. Vasim Mamedaliev defended his candidate’s dissertation in 1968, his doctoral dissertation in 1974, and in 1979 received the academic title of professor. In 2001 he was elected a corresponding member, and in 2007 – a full member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
Vasim Mamedaliyev, with his meaningful scientific and pedagogical activities, has made a valuable contribution to science and education in Azerbaijan for many years. He has exceptional merits in bringing oriental science in the republic to the level of modern requirements. The scientist’s fundamental research, dedicated to the systematic study of current problems of Arabic linguistics, and referring to ancient sources that highlighted in detail the main ways of development of Arabic linguistics, was recognized as a contribution to world oriental studies. In these studies, rich in new judgments, the scientist at the same time especially emphasized that the linguistic tradition in Azerbaijan has a centuries-old history. The orientalist scholar was the first to systematically study the Arab schools of grammar and studied at the highest level the theoretical and methodological principles that guided the grammarians of Baghdad, Andalus, Basra, Kufa, and Egypt. Using a number of ancient Arabic sources, the scholar commented in comparative form on the teachings of these important schools of grammar, following the main paths of development of Arabic linguistics. V. Mamedaliyev first used the expression “Azerbaijan school of Arabic linguistics” in his fundamental work “Arabic linguistics” and proved that the linguistic tradition in Azerbaijan has a long history.
Vasim Mamedaliyev harmoniously combined scientific creativity with teaching activities, and over a half-century period, with his knowledge and skills, he made a lot of effort to train highly qualified personnel at Baku State University.
The results of Vasim Mamedaliev’s scientific research are reflected in more than 30 books and about 600 scientific and journalistic articles. Under his leadership, over 50 doctors of philosophy and doctors of science were educated. The scientist’s speeches at international symposia, conferences and forums in various countries around the world were met with interest by the scientific community. The orientalist, whose numerous solid studies related to Arabic linguistics and theology were highly appreciated, was elected as a member of authoritative academic scientific structures in a number of countries.
The long-term fruitful activity of Academician Vasim Mamedaliev was adequately appreciated. For his services in the development of science and education, he was awarded the Orders of “Shohrat” and “Sharaf” – the highest state awards of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan.
Academician Vasim Mamedaliyev died on October 13, 2019 at the age of 77 in Baku, and was buried in the II Alley of Honor.
The memory of Vasim Mamedaliev, an outstanding scientist and teacher, a true intellectual and a sincere person, will always live in the hearts of those who knew him.