Mirza Ibrahimov, (October 15, 1911- December 17, 1993), was a well known writer, editor, and figurehead in the Azerbaijan SSR, a republic in the Soviet Union. Ibrahimov was born in the village of Eyvaq in Iranian Azerbaijan, in the present-day Sarab County, 11 km south of Duzduzan. In 1918 he moved with his father to Baku. Ibrahimov is well known for writing plays and books. One of his works saw him recognized in the Soviet republics, receiving the Lenin Prize. ^[1] He was also the editor of the Vətən Yolunda, the Azeri-language newspaper that was printed in Iraninan Azerbaijan during the Soviet occupation of Azerbaijan. His literary achievements and work during the 1940's got him recognition on a political scale as well, being appointed the Chairman of the Presidium of Supreme Soviet in Azerbaijan. ^[2] Ibrahimov paid much attention to the education system and culture in Azerbaijan, and when the central leadership of the CPSU in was implementing new plans on how to further their agenda, Ibrahimov fought against this, leading to a fallout in 1958. Mirza Ibrahimov died in 1993 in Baku.

Reza Shah, the prime minister of Iran had hindered Southern Azerbaijan people from press, literature, and schools in South Azerbaijan. Because of this, the republic as a whole was looking for an identity that was never put in place under Reza Shah.

Ibrahimov was the chief editor for the Vətən Yolunda, the Azeri-Language newspaper that was printed in Iranian Azerbaijan. He was named the editor by Mir Jafar Baghirov, the Communist leader of Azerbaijan from 1932 until 1953. The newspaper was a part of the Soviets propaganda. ^[1] The newspaper produced was much different from other ones seen around the world, as production was not as grand as newspapers seen in other countries, especially in a war time state. The Vətən Yolunda became very well known in northern Iran, as it brought together writers from both sides of Azerbaijan. The newspaper was an outlet for many Azeris to become knowledgeable and literate. ^[3] Ibrahimov wanted to spread his ideals, language and further enlighten people on both sides of Azerbaijan. His articles were often published for promoting the Azerbaijan language, and trying to enlighten people about the poets of the past. One of the biggest contributors was the leader of the anti-fascist Committee in Tabriz, Mohammad Biriya. Much of his work in the paper was about anti-fascism, which was very popular in Azerbaijan.^[1]

In addition to his editorial experience, he wrote his novel, Galajak Gun, which is often thought to be one of the best Soviet novels, with new ideas he formed while living in South Azerbaijan. The book was written about the freedom of people in hardships in South Azerbaijan and was awarded the Lenin Prize in 1951. ^[3]

In 1954, Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, named Ibrahimov the Chairman of the Republic's Supreme Soviet. ^[2] The CPSU was still trying to continue to grow their Sphere of influence in the post World War II world. Khrushchev and t wanted all the Soviet republics to focus on bringing the Soviet republics together using a similar language with. ^[2] Ibrahimov worked closely with Imam Mustafayev, the first Secretary of the Azerbaijan Communist party. During this time, there were lots of time spent arguing internally in the Azerbaijan SSR about the direction the republic wanted to move in. Schools in Azerbaijan in the 1950s were very different from what they had been. Schools now lost a lot of time spent learning in Azerbaijani. ^[2] In 1955, the CPSU allowed for students not to have to learn a language that was not Russian. ^[2] Ibrahimov did not agree on a lot of things with the CPSU, including this new rule, and always wanted to try to keep the Azeri culture and language at the front, which was different from Khrushchev's plans, even though he held a high position in the Azerbaijan SSR.

As Ibrahimov continued to hold the position of Chairman of the Republic's Supreme Soviet, he became more and more focused on building the Azerbaijan identity. After the 1955 order, Ibrahimov thought something had to be changed. He wanted to bring the Azerbaijani language to the forefront trying to build a culture independent from the Moscow ideals. He then brought up a new idea to change the current direction and to try to make the language of Azerbaijani to the primary language. ^[2] Ibrahimov worked with Mustafayev on the new language amendment. The change had to go through many different levels of approvals, from the local Communist leaders in Azerbaijan to the leaders of the Soviet republic in Moscow. ^[2] After discussions with the Supreme Soviet Kliment Voroshilov, the amendment gained support. The new amendment now allowed for Azerbaijan to try to the establish the new language, trying to strengthen the country and make it look like a republic with strong traditions, something that it had lacked before.

The new amendment that Ibrahimov had proposed was appealed. After a review of the amendment, Soviet leaders believed that this new policy went against Moscow's position of increasing their power over the different republics. Ibrahimov was relieved of his duties in 1958 as Chairman of the Republic's Supreme Soviet as he was viewed as a dissenter from the Communist party in Moscow due to the new amendment. A meeting was called in 1958 about what was happening in Azerbaijan with the Azerbaijan SSR and the CPSU. ^[4] Mustafayev attended the meeting. Allegations were thrown around by the CPSU that Azerbaijan was not following the guidelines put in place. ^[4] The leaders also believed that the amendment was proposed to alienate other groups of people who lived in Azerbaijan, and was not trying to unify the country as a whole, based on claims of discrimination. Many other nationalities in Azerbaijan believed that they were being left out of the loop when it came to big decisions in the country. ^[4] In 1959, Mustafayev was relieved of his duties as well.

After he left the Azerbaijan SSR, Ibrahimov became the leader of the Section for the History of Southern Azeri Literature in 1976. The section was meant to provide information about the CPSUs influence in Iran and creating options to aid Southern Azeris. This was created as a result of another ban on Azerbaijani culture after the fall of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party. ^[3]

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