Arif Malikov, the great composer, member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, People's Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan, Head of the Department at Baku Music Academy, Honorary Doctor of Khazar University, Founding Member of the Eurasian Academy passed away on May 9, 2019 in the 86^th year of his life.

Arif Malikov, born in Baku on September 13, 1933, after graduating from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, was engaged in pedagogical activity, along with his musical creativity.

The symphony, ballet, operetta, cantata, vocal, camera and instrumental works created by Arif Malikov, the great composer of our time, a talented disciple and worthy successor of Gara Garayev's composers school, have always been in the list of valuable pearls of Azerbaijan musical treasury.

His music and dramas, as well as romances and songs, have been performed by famous artists and gained a wide popularity. Arif Melikov's works reflecting the humanist ideals are now being successfully sounded beyond the borders of our country. The ballet entitled “Məhəbbət əfsanəsi” (“Legend of Love”) has been featured in well-known theater scenes from 60 countries around the world for more than half a century and this is regarded as one of the great achievements of the Azerbaijani musical culture.

Alongside with the composer's activities, Arif Malikov served as a prominent educator for many years and being committed with his extended experience provided exceptional services in training of young generation of musicians and professionals in the field of musical art.

His public activity was also rich and varied. Arif Melikov, while being MP of the USSR, had always demonstrated a patriotic intellectual position in the socio-political life of our Republic in the last decades of the bygone century.

Arif Malikov was closely linked with Khazar University. He was the Honorary Doctor of the University. In 2012, upon the initiative of Professor Hamlet Isakhanli, the Founder of Khazar University and Chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees, in establishing the Eurasian Academy, Arif Malikov was one of the five founding members alongside Lutfi Zadeh, Halil Inalcık, M.Gazi Yaşargil and Hamlet Isakhanli. Arif Malikov attended two official meetings of the Eurasian Academy and also took part in the ceremony of awarding the Eurasian Legend Award.

Long-term commitments of Arif Malikov in the development and promotion of Azerbaijani music culture has been highly appreciated by the state. He was found worthy of a number of honorary titles, and was bestowed by the following awards “Heydar Aliyev”, “Istiglal” and “Şöhrət” which are regarded as the highest awards of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Cherished memory of the great composer, prominent educator, real intelligent and dignified person - Arif Malikov will always live in the hearts of those who knew him.

May he rest in peace.