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A member of parliament in Azerbaijan has proposed ditching the International Women’s Day holiday on March 8 and replacing it with a celebration of the April 28 birthday of President Ilham Aliyev’s late mother, according to eurasianet.org.

Elmira Akhundova, a pro-government, non-party-aligned MP from the southern region of Masalli, called for the change during a February 2 session of parliament.

"Azerbaijan’s people respectfully remember Zarifa Aliyeva, the faithful spouse of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The celebration of her birthday as a Mother’s Day could demonstrate national love for Zarifa khanum," Akhundova said, using the traditional Azeri form of address for a noblewoman.

By comparison, Akhundova continued, International Women’s Day, a holiday that was heavily promoted during the Soviet era, has "lost its significance." The commemoration, she argued, should be abolished.

Many Azerbaijani women do not agree with Akhundova’s assessment. "I will not celebrate this [Mother’s Day] holiday on principle, since they’re just licking the president’s boots with this proposal," declared Nigar Chingizgizi, a young Baku teacher.

"We will celebrate March 8 as usual." Members of parliament, she added, should spend time "solving other issues that are more important for society."

Reporter Mira Miradova writes, parks and schools named after the presidential couple have also been opened in almost every district of the country.

Miradova is convinced that many link the issue with the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. It’s a fact that such initiatives are the best and shortest way to gain a post or professional promotion in Azerbaijan. It’s not accidental that even businessmen adopt the same principle as they open new trade centers or gyms. To get persuaded, just take a tour around Azerbaijani sport halls.