Turkmen Leader Echoes Predecessor With 'spiritual' Book
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 06, 2020 | 05:50 PM
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Aug 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2020 ) :Turkmenistan's strongman president has written a book on national spiritual values, state media reported Thursday, after his eccentric predecessor made a similar self-penned tome compulsory reading.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, already a prolific author, appeared on state television leafing through freshly printed copies of the book called "The Spiritual World of the Turkmen." The Neutral Turkmenistan state newspaper reported that Berdymukhamedov had written about "the wise traditions of the nation (and) their worthy continuation in the modern era." Turkmenistan's first president Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in 2006, wrote a similarly titled book called The Rukhnama, or "Book of the Soul" that was a central element of his personality cult.
He renamed the month of September after the book and knowledge of the text was required to pass driving tests.
The book was even commemorated with a giant monument in the capital Ashgabat in the form of a book that opens and plays an excerpt from the text.
Niyazov's Rukhnama lost some of its cachet following the author's death.
It is no longer sold at state bookshops, but can still be bought second-hand.
It is unclear whether Berdymukhamedov's book will take on a similar significance but it joins a large collection of books already attributed to the president, including volumes on horses, tea and medicinal plants.
The autocrat, who usually wears suits or sports gear, appeared on television reading through his latest book in traditional folk clothing including a colourful skullcap.
A formal unveiling of the book appeared likely at a cabinet meeting on Friday.
After coming to power following Niyazov's death in 2006, Berdymukhamedov oversaw the gradual reversal of his former patron's personality cult, notably changing the months of the year back to their previous Names.
A gold statue of the former leader is still on display in Ashgabat but was relocated from the city centre to the suburbs and no longer rotates with the movements of the sun.
A golden monument depicting Berdymukhamedov on horseback was erected in 2015.
al-cr/am/tgb
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Applications Open for 6th Cycle of Start-up Incubation under the National Expans ..
Join vivo's "Light it Up" Social Media Contest in Ramadan to Win vivo V30 5G
Pakistan v New Zealand T20I series: Tickets to go on sale from today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 March 2024
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Shaheed Jalil Andrabi remembered on his martyrdom anniversary
2 days ago -
Architectural grandeur of Mohabat Khan Mosque attracts visitors, archeology lovers
2 days ago -
Besant Hall cultural centre to hold programme in memory Pir Hassam din Rashdi
4 days ago -
USA beats Mexico 2-0 for CONCACAF Nations League title
4 days ago -
World urged to intervene for peace in Kashmir
5 days ago -
Undeterred resolve – only way to end economic woes
5 days ago
-
Organic Food: A booming trend in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
5 days ago -
From Soil to Harvest: Use of modern technology vital for agricultural renaissance
5 days ago -
Spring season offers glimpse into GB's natural beauty, cultural heritage
5 days ago -
Nation to mark decades’ long journey of resilience through annals of history
7 days ago -
23rd March: A historic day reminds Muslims’ heroic struggle for Pakistan
7 days ago -
Measures urged to recharge depleting water table: Experts
7 days ago