Her Excellency Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady and First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

Permit me to express my heartfelt wishes for a blessed and happy birthday. On this special occasion, I would like to congratulate you for setting such a high standard in empowering women in the Muslim world and beyond. You admirably embody the attributes of leadership, the values of tolerance, humanity and caring – values which are at the core of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Your extraordinary efforts as Vice-President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, to name a few, set a remarkable example for the Azerbaijani people and women in particular. You are a great source of inspiration and guidance to your host of admirers around the world.

I look forward to returning to Baku in November, with my beloved wife Simi, with the honor and privilege of visiting with you.

Warmly yours,

Rabbi Marc Schneier

President of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding