DUSHANBE, February 26, 2009, Asia-Plus — A republican conference formally titled “The Tolerant Essence of the Doctrine of Imam Azam and State of Religion in the Country” was held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe on February 26.
The conference, staged by President’s Executive Office and dedicated to the 1310th anniversary of al-Imam al-Azam Numan Thabit bin Zuta bin Mah, better known by his kunya as Abu Hanifa, brought together senior representatives of the ministries and organizations, researchers and clerics.
Abu Hanifa, (699-767 CE / 80-148 AH) was the founder of the Sunni Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.
Inaugurating the conference, President Emomali Rahmon, in particular, noted that according to historical sources, at the beginning of his activity Abu Hanifa had been faced with counteraction of some clerics and rulers because of his tolerant views and innovative ideas, according to presidential press service.
“Despite this counteraction, Abu Hanifa’s fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), however, developed very quickly and promoted dissemination of Islam in the world. Peoples of Khorasan and Movaraunnahr, India and Turkey displayed a special interest in jurisprudence of Imam Azam,” President Rahmon said.
The president further stressed that the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence had been disseminated not by force, it had been adopted by peoples voluntary due to its correspondence to spiritual needs and cultural traditions of peoples of Central Asia. Therefore, the year of celebration in honor of Imam Azam is of great historic and religious significance for all peoples of Central Asia, including Tajiks, Tajik leader noted.
The Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, the main pillars of which are peace, tranquility and security of society, played an important role in development of spiritual life of peoples of Central Asia, Emomali Rahmon said.
