DUSHANBE, September 15, 2010, Asia-Plus – Some local newspapers and persons unknown to Tajik journalist community have written slanderous articles against me and my activity in recent weeks, a letter by known Tajik religious leader Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda sent to Asia-Plus says.
“In their articles, they want to portray me as artful and self-interested person who betrayed his religion and mazhab.
Of course, this method of their struggle that was used from late 1992 to 1998 already is nothing new for me. In their articles, they even portrayed me as murder, enemy of the nation and peace. Fortunately, it turned out that all that was undisguised slander and hundreds of thousands of people welcomed my return gladly and with respect.
It had been quiet until 2008, but after publication of one my interview and article they again received an order to attack me. They even proclaimed me to be agent of Russian KGB…
Although I have not been engaged in religious activity over the last twenty years as an official person, our Muslims are continuing to apply to me over religious issues. Their trust and sincerity have excited jealousy and envy in ill-wishers.
In the latest slanderous statements, they attributed “a fabulous fortune” and “uncertain sources of income” to me. I bring to their notice that I present the tax declaration every year. One of these authors, who named himself just as Muhammadsalim, notes that I allegedly have several plants and factories; meanwhile, I have only one cotton-ginning factory that I bought by auction in 1998. Unfortunately, the cotton-ginning became debtor due to the economic crisis of 2008-2009 and we have not yet repaid this debt.
Muhammadsalim writes, “Turajonzoda is not an ordinary and uneducated person. He is the mind and honor of politics, which under the mask of religion and using various slogans and cashing in on Islam, wants to get power…”
…neither I, Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, nor my brothers aspire to presidency or seat in parliament or any other official position.
We have always been and will be against instability in the country.
In this connection, I ask my esteem fellow-countrymen not to trust rumors, slander and planted articles!
For my part, I will apply to local and external judicial instances with solicitation to identify authors and will use all legal ways to protect my honor and honor of my family.”
