DUSHANBE, March 17, 2010, Asia-Plus — Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda, spiritual leader of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), died in Dushanbe today morning aged 59 after a long illness.
Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda had suffered from cancer since 2003 and he had been confined to bed since 2004.
Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda was member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) of the second (2000-2005) and the third (2005-2010) convocations. He was elected to parliament through the IRPT list.
In the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the second convocation, Mr. Himmatzoda was member of the Committee on International Affairs, Public Associations and Information. He was awarded an Order of Spitamen.
Himmatzoda vacated his seat in parliament in April 2009. Mr. Himmatzoda resigned in protest after some his benefits had been revoked. Mr. Himmatzoda, who was unable to walk, was refused transport services that had been previously provided to him after he wrote articles critical of the country”s controversial new law on religion and religious associations.
According to IRPT’s head office in Dushanbe, Himmatzoda will be buried today afternoon in Sari Osiyo Cemetery in Dushanbe near Said Abdullo Nouri.
Born in Tavildara district on July 6, 1951, Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda headed the IRPT during the civil war in Tajikistan. He was an active participant of the inter-Tajik peace negotiations and member of the Commission for National Reconciliation (CNR).
