DUSHANBE, September 7, Asia-Plus – Amonullo Nematzoda, Chairman of the Shuroi Ulamo (Council of Ulems, a group of scholars and imams that provides interpretations of religious practice), died Monday evening in Dushanbe aged 74.
According to the Shuroi Ulamo, Nematzoda had suffered from oncology disease for several months and had undergone medical treatment abroad.
Amonullo Nematzoda will be buried today afternoon in his native Elok village in Fayzobod district.
According to presidential press service, President Emomali Rahmon extended his condolences to relatives and friends of the late Nematzoda. In his message, Rahmon, in particular, noted that Amonullo Nematzoda devoted his life to honest service of Islam and Muslims, his homeland, spiritual and moral education and patriotism, calling for consolidation, unity and peaceful life.
Hoji Amonullo Nematzoda was born on October 5, 1935 in the village of Elok (formerly Buzurgiyon), Fayzobod district. From 1983 to 1989, he served as imam-khatib of the mosque in Dushanbe’s Shohmansour district. From 1989 to 1993, Nematzoda was imam-khatib of the Hazrati Mavlono Yaqubi Charkhi Mosque in Roudaki district. In 1996-1997, he was grand mufti of Tajikistan and in 1997, he was elected chairman of the Islamic Center and the Shuroi Ulamo of Tajikistan.
