DUSHANBE, January 7, 2009, Asia-Plus — The year of 2009 is announced Year of Imam Azam in Tajikistan.
We will recall that addressing a meeting dedicated to the 17th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence, President Emomali Rahmon announced on September 8, 2008 that the year of 2009 will be Year of Imam Azam in Tajikistan. Al-Imam al-A”zam, “The Greatest Imam” Nu’man bin Thabit bin Zuta bin Mahan, better known by his kunya as Abu Ḥanīfah, (699 — 767 CE / 80 — 148 AH) was the founder of the Sunni Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Tajik political scientist Abdullo Hakim Rahnamo noted that time has come to improve the state policy on religion. According to him, it is necessary to establish the ministry for religious affairs in Tajikistan.
“Such a ministry functions in developed secular states of the Muslim world such as Turkey and Egypt,” said Rahnamo, “Surveys show that in the future, religion will be one of the most important factors to provide unity of people, stability in society and national security.” According to him, the ministry for religious affairs could playa key role in forecasting, coordinating and managing processes in these fields.
“This ministry should group different separate structures dealing with religious affairs in the country,” the political scientist said, terming the Islamic Center, Directorate for Religious Affairs within the Ministry of Culture, the Center for Islamic Studies under the President, Main Directorate for Regulating National Traditions and Rituals at President’s Office, etc.
As far as person to head this ministry is concerned, Rahnamo said that member of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, head of the Main Directorate for Regulating National Traditions and Rituals at President’s Office Abduhalim Kholiqov or head of the Directorate for Religious Affairs within the Ministry of Culture Idibek Ziyoyev could head the ministry.
