Ex-Turkem president’s holy book the Ruhnama still required University reading
Former President Niyazov wrote this book and ordered it be considered sacred, he imposed it in schools and public ceremonies. Almost 5 years after his death, the book is still on university exams.
Ashgabat (AsiaNews / Agencies) – The cult of former president Saparmurat Niyazov, remains imbedded in Turkmenistan society despite current president Kurbanguly Berdymukhammedov’s declaration after his election in February 2007 that he wanted to rectify it. The Ruhnama, "holy book" which he wrote, is still a compulsory subject for university entrance interviews.
Niyazov ruled the country for 21 years, during the Soviet era until his sudden death from a heart attack December 20, 2006. His power was so absolute that he was called the "last Pharaoh" and established an exaggerated personality cult. In addition to the ubiquitous posters and statues that depict him, state propaganda glorified him as a "prophet." He wrote the "Ruhnama" ("Book of the soul"), a "revision" of Islam, which is compulsory in all schools and mosques and in public ceremonies, even in this internet cafes. He changed the names of the months and weeks, decreed that the period of his reign was called the "golden age" and demanded he be called Turkmenbashi, Father and Guide of all Turkmen,.
Berdymukhammedov did not want to make an immediate "break" and in his inauguration ceremony the Ruhnama was present. But then it was removed from public ceremonies. In April 2011 the book was removed from the curriculum for compulsory secondary education.
But analysts note that the change is mainly formal, the book is still a subject of study in secondary schools, although "not mandatory" and for one hour a week. Also, especially, the "sacred" text is one of the requirements for examinations for access to university courses. For example, the interview subjects for access to the course in mathematics, are applied mathematics, computer science, information systems and technology, mathematics, physics and the Holy Ruhnama. The same is true for biology, geography, psychology and other subjects. Even the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute, considered one of the best institutions of the country destined to form geologists and physicists to exploit oil and other natural resources, requires knowledge of the Ruhnama.
Moreover, in the Asghabat Memorial Park there is still a giant monument to this book (pictured) and the minaret of the mosque in Turkmenbashi Ruhy, dedicated to former president, still bears the inscription, "The Ruhnama is a holy book, the Koran is Allah’s book. " Under the old president, the imams who refused to put the Ruhnama at the same level of the Quran were subjected to investigation and police interrogation.
Some argue that the current president is merely "replacing" the object of the cult of personality: the Ruhnama in public ceremonies, such as mandatory reference text and quotation, was replaced by the writings of Berdymukhammedov on any topic, from health, medicinal plants, the economy even the races. Even his giant portraits are gradually replacing those of Niyazov.
Niyazov ruled the country for 21 years, during the Soviet era until his sudden death from a heart attack December 20, 2006. His power was so absolute that he was called the "last Pharaoh" and established an exaggerated personality cult. In addition to the ubiquitous posters and statues that depict him, state propaganda glorified him as a "prophet." He wrote the "Ruhnama" ("Book of the soul"), a "revision" of Islam, which is compulsory in all schools and mosques and in public ceremonies, even in this internet cafes. He changed the names of the months and weeks, decreed that the period of his reign was called the "golden age" and demanded he be called Turkmenbashi, Father and Guide of all Turkmen,.
Berdymukhammedov did not want to make an immediate "break" and in his inauguration ceremony the Ruhnama was present. But then it was removed from public ceremonies. In April 2011 the book was removed from the curriculum for compulsory secondary education.
But analysts note that the change is mainly formal, the book is still a subject of study in secondary schools, although "not mandatory" and for one hour a week. Also, especially, the "sacred" text is one of the requirements for examinations for access to university courses. For example, the interview subjects for access to the course in mathematics, are applied mathematics, computer science, information systems and technology, mathematics, physics and the Holy Ruhnama. The same is true for biology, geography, psychology and other subjects. Even the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute, considered one of the best institutions of the country destined to form geologists and physicists to exploit oil and other natural resources, requires knowledge of the Ruhnama.
Moreover, in the Asghabat Memorial Park there is still a giant monument to this book (pictured) and the minaret of the mosque in Turkmenbashi Ruhy, dedicated to former president, still bears the inscription, "The Ruhnama is a holy book, the Koran is Allah’s book. " Under the old president, the imams who refused to put the Ruhnama at the same level of the Quran were subjected to investigation and police interrogation.
Some argue that the current president is merely "replacing" the object of the cult of personality: the Ruhnama in public ceremonies, such as mandatory reference text and quotation, was replaced by the writings of Berdymukhammedov on any topic, from health, medicinal plants, the economy even the races. Even his giant portraits are gradually replacing those of Niyazov.
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