Earth Views

Copied from the Trailblazer guide to Azerbaijan: Nasimi Imameddin (1369-1417) Shamakha-born philosopher-poet whose 'Hurufism heresy' was to postulate that 'God is in the heart' rather than a physical reality. For preaching this doctrine, he was eventually arrested in Aleppo (Haleb, Syria) and sentenced to death. Poorly informed executioners thought that he had claimed to be divine and taunted him 'If you are all powerful, why do you grow pale at the loss of your flesh?' He supposedly retorted 'I am the sun of love on eternity's horizon. The sun always grows pale at sunset.' Then they skinned him alive.

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Copied from the Trailblazer guide to Azerbaijan: 'Nizami' Ganjavi (1141-1209) Born Ilias ibn Yusif, the pen name Nizami means 'stringer of syllables' - a professional praise-poet. For one piece of poetic obsequiousness he received, in lieu of a fee, a female slave who later became his wife. Nizami's mature work culminated in a collection of five epics collectively known as Xamsa for which he is now considered Azerbaijan's Shakespeare; each is a classic in its own rights. You'll find Nizami statues, streets and cinemas in most Azeri towns.

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