The 20th International Conference on “Turkic Art, History and Folklore: Artistic Traditions” was held from 12 to 16 October 2026 at the Faculty of Architecture of Iskenderun Technical University in Hatay, Türkiye. The conference was dedicated to the anniversary of prominent Azerbaijani scholar Professor Ertekin Salamzade.

The National Museum of History of Azerbaijan was represented by Habiba Aliyeva, PhD in History and Associate Professor, Senior Researcher at the Archaeology Scientific Fund Department, and Mahfuza Zeynalova, PhD in History and Associate Professor, Chief Curator of the Museum. At the opening ceremony, Mahfuza Zeynalova delivered a welcoming address on behalf of the Azerbaijani delegation.

As part of the scientific programme, Habiba Aliyeva presented a paper entitled “The Epigraphic Heritage of the Islamic World: A Comparative Analysis of the Inscriptions of the Nizameddin and Habib-i Najjar Mosques.” Her presentation examined and compared the epigraphic materials of both mosques, highlighting the historical and scholarly significance of the inscriptions and their contribution to the study and preservation of Turkic-Islamic cultural heritage. In recognition of her scientific work, Habiba Aliyeva received the “Scientist of the Year 2026” award, conferred by the conference’s organising committee.

The conference brought together more than 78 scholars from Türkiye, Azerbaijan and other countries. Discussions focused on expanding international academic cooperation, conducting joint research and publishing its findings, as well as safeguarding and restoring monuments of Turkic-Islamic cultural heritage.