Abstract
<jats:p>Ali Tabrizli (1929–1998) holds a prominent position in the history of Turkism in both South Azerbaijan and Iran. Despite severe political pressure and cultural assimilation policies implemented during the Pahlavi era, he devoted his life to preserving the Azerbaijani Turkish language, literature, and national identity in Iran. Through his literary, publishing, and intellectual activities, Tabrizli became one of the leading ideologues of Turkism and national consciousness among Turks in Iran. His seminal work Language and Literature (Dil və Ədəbiyyat), written in the early 1960s and published in 1981, challenged the official discourse that marginalized Turkish language and culture. The book addressed issues such as language rights, national identity, cultural heritage, and the historical role of Turks in Iran, becoming one of the foundational texts of the South Azerbaijani national movement. Beyond his role as a thinker, Tabrizli contributed significantly to Azerbaijani cultural life through publishing numerous literary works, including folk epics, poetry anthologies, and historical novels. His publishing house served as an important center for the preservation and dissemination of Azerbaijani Turkish literature. Because of his activities, he was repeatedly imprisoned by the Pahlavi regime and subjected to censorship and persecution. Nevertheless, he continued his struggle for linguistic and cultural rights. The article examines Tabrizli’s life, literary heritage, and ideological contributions, with particular attention to his views on language, nationhood, and Turkic unity. It argues that his writings played a crucial role in shaping modern national consciousness among South Azerbaijani Turks and continue to influence contemporary intellectual and cultural discourse. Tabrizli remains one of the most prominent symbols of resistance against cultural assimilation and a key figure in the history of Azerbaijani national thought.</jats:p>