THE WATER JOURNEY OF THE ISLAMIAD

The forthcoming 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games to be held in Baku on May 12-22 is a magnificent sporting event for Azerbaijan and the entire Islamic world. During ten days, the pulse of the whole Islamic world will beat in Azerbaijan. That is why the Islamic Solidarity Games is the main sporting event of 2017.

The preparation of Baku for the Islamiad has entered the main phase. The Water Journey of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games (Baku-2017) has already started in the Museum of the Stone Chronicles and originates from the Caspian Sea. The ceremony was attended by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games Mehriban Aliyeva, Prince of Saudi Arabia and President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.

President Aliyev called the holding of such a prestigious competition in Azerbaijan a great event: "The 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games is a great honour for us. We acknowledge this as a sign of respect and confidence of Islamic countries to Azerbaijan. At the same time, this is a big responsibility. We confirm that all the preparatory works have been completed. We are ready to accept the Games. More than 3,000 athletes from 57 countries will compete in Azerbaijan. We are ready to receive all the guests. We are looking forward to them. As I already mentioned, the Games will be attended by sportsmen from 57 countries, which is a record in the history of the Games. We are very happy about this. At the same time, thousands of official representatives and guests will visit our country. I am sure that the guests will have a chance to get acquainted with our country, its realities and ancient history," said Mr. Aliyev.

He added that Azerbaijan has an ancient history and culture. "Our culture and history are a source of our pride, national treasure. Historical and religious monuments prove that the Azerbaijani people are an ancient people, which has been living and creating in this land since the ancient times. Azerbaijan is an ancient Muslim land. We are proud that the Shamakhi Juma mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in the world, was built in 743 AD. A few years ago, this mosque has been completely restored and opened the doors to the Azerbaijani people. I am sure that the guests will get acquainted with the historical places of Baku and other regions of our country. The role of volunteers is of special importance in the conduct of the Games. I am glad that more than 8,000 volunteers will take part in these Games. It is impossible to hold these Games without them," stated President Aliyev.

Mr. President noted that water was the symbol of the Islamic Solidarity Games: "Water is life. The nature and man cannot live without water. Azerbaijan has a picturesque nature. Beautiful lakes, rivers, springs, waterfalls, the beautiful Caspian Sea is our natural treasure. Today, from the shores of the Caspian Sea, a great journey begins in various directions of our country. Let our way be transparent and our intentions pure as water."

In fact, the journey of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games is symbolised by the water element. Water is a symbol of purity and unity and has a great moral value in Islam. It has a special significance for Baku, which is located on the Caspian coast.

A kid from Baku accompanied by two well-known athletes, two-time world taekwondo champion Rashad Ahmadov and the silver medalist of the Rio Olympic Games Maria Stadnik, took some water from the Caspian Sea, a symbol of unity, in order to distribute to all Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev handed over the Caspian water to children coming from all corners of Azerbaijan to take it all the way back.

The Water Journey will cover more than 15 historical cities, five lakes, one reservoir, three rivers, a spring, three waterfalls of the country and the Caspian Sea travelling more than 3,000 kilometers in total. Local children from each of the 15 spots located in various picturesque corners of Azerbaijan will fill copper utensils with water at a special ceremony accompanied by two athletes.

Then, the Caspian water sent by President Aliyev, as well as the water collected from other sources will be presented at the evening festival. This event will be accompanied by Azerbaijani music and dances, grandiose water effects, bright fireworks and everyone can take part in it.

The journey starting at the Caspian Sea will last 37 days and end on May 12 in Baku at the opening ceremony of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games. The children will welcome participating sportsmen from 50 countries of the Islamic world with clean water from lakes and rivers, waterfalls and springs of Azerbaijan.

Thirty-five days before the start of the tournament, the Azerbaijan Operating Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Games (AOCISG) presented the medals of the Games.

The Baku-2017 logo often found on Azerbaijani carpet patterns and based on images of Islamic culture is placed in the centre of gold, silver and bronze medals. These elements symbolise the country's richest history and contain the core values ​​of the Games: peace, unity, respect and excellence. The reverse side of the medals has an emblem of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation. These 80-by-9 mm medals were manufactured in Azerbaijan by Azersuvenir in cooperation with a group of designers of Baku-2017.

The Islamic Solidarity Games will have competitions in the following sports: jumping, swimming, water polo, basketball 3x3, boxing, volleyball, zorkhana, taekwondo, karate, wushu, athletics / paraathletics, artistic and sports gymnastics, wrestling, handball, judo / parajudo, tennis, table tennis, football, shooting and weightlifting. The football tournament starts the first. The first game will be held three days before the opening ceremony, on May 8.