I reiterate that the overwhelming majority of persons critical of the Ruhnama have
never read Saparmyrat Turkmenbashy's two-volume book in its entirety. Even those who write to me in condemnatory fashion freely admit they have never read either book - in fact one woman who had worked in Turkmenistan and who was full of harsh words about Turkmen students being "forced" to study the late President's book, said she personally owned an English-language version but has never opened it. According to her letter, "Such is my distaste for this book that I cannot bring myself to even look at it" - although I note that she still possesses her copy, likely packed away in a drawer or box somewhere. The fact that she hadn't read it did not stop her from passing judgment.
Although Turkmenbashy began writing the Ruhnama in 1997 (completing and publishing Book One in 2001 and Book Two in 2004) he emphasized that these books contained his
long-held beliefs - philosophical and spiritual - indicating that he had governed Turkmenistan by these principles since becoming president in 1991. If one reads his earlier book,
Independence, Democracy, Prosperity, (Noy Publications, 1994) a collection of his interviews and speeches, one sees the same Ruhnama philosophy throughout. As he stated in Ruhnama, his book is intended as a "blueprint" for a future Golden Age - the means for continued advancement towards an era of peace, prosperity and enlightenment. He writes:
Our independence and neutrality illuminate our Golden century and are illuminated by our national values. Reviving with Ruhnama, God willing, we can alter our future in the Golden Age. In the Golden century, in the 21st century, our main aim is to build a Turkmen nation which can be a model for the entire world. With our independence, which lets us now cut our own cloth to fit, and our neutraility which spreads the sign of peace in the world, our nation will also prove itself a model in human relations by displaying its affluent spirit.
Ruh. 1:238
One need only look at some other states in Central Asia - hotspots such as Afghanistan, or "
potential hotspots" like Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan - to see that Turkmenistan has been spared the conflict and insurgencies that are increasingly common in the region. Say what you will, but Great Turkmenbashy's philosophy was largely responsible for the stability Turkmenistan enjoyed during his presidency, so it should be cause for concern when current president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov announced his country's shift away from Ruhnama.
The Ruhnama is the key to sustaining stability in Turkmenistan. It is today's younger generation who were required to study the books for hours each week in school - granted, often against their wishes - and government employees who were tested on its contents that thusly acquired a moderate interpretation of Islam.
As such, it is these people who comprise the ideological 'front line' against Islamic extremism.
I can only assume that President Berdymukhamedov's dismantling of his predecessor's legacy and reduction in Ruhnama education is rooted in ignorance. Perhaps he only glanced at Great Turkmenbashy's book since testing on the Ruhnama's contents was not required when he first entered government service. But one thing is certain, President Berdymukhamedov is making a grave miscalculation if he thinks his personal and national security is assured by
cozying up to the West in preference to educating Turkmen youth in matters of honesty, spirituality and the evils of violence against the state.
Or maybe he is having second thoughts?
Russian news agency
Ferghana.ru published an article today stating that colleges and universities in Turkmenistan continue to require Ruhnama proficiency for admittance:
Turkmenistan: College entrants are still required to take a test on Rukhnama
© Ferghana.ru
July 9, 2009 10:48 msk
Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper published the data on exams that are required to pass in order to enroll in universities and special academic institutions of Turkmenistan, Khronika Turkmenistana reports. The published material confirm the fact that "Sacred Rukhnama" - the book, written by late Saparmurat Niyazov - remains a major and required subject, whose knowledge must be demonstrated by all the university entrants in the republic.
Thus, in order to be enrolled in the Department of Mathematics, applied mathematics and information technology, physics, radio physics and electronics at Turkmen state university, named after Makhtumkuli, the applicant needs to pass math, physics and "Sacred Rukhnama". Those, majoring in biology, have to take biology, chemistry and "Sacred Rukhnama".
In order to get admitted to Turkmen state university of transport and communications, the potential students have to take math, physics and "Sacred Rukhnama". The admission process in Turkmen state institute of economics and management includes tests on math, history of Turkmenistan and "Sacred Rukhnama". The future doctors, entering Turkmen state medical institute, have to prove their knowledge of biology, chemistry and "Sacred Rukhnama". Even application process to conservatoire includes tests on solfeggio, music theory and major along with "Sacred Rukhnama". Perhaps, "Rukhnama" helps the musician sing and play piano during declamation.
The artists, entering State academy of arts of Turkmenistan must draw the man in color with the help of pen, perform the design and, of course, prove the knowledge of "Sacred Rukhnama".
"Sacred Rukhnama" is an entrance ticket to Institute of international relations under Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan, Turkmenabad medical college, Aviation personnel preparation school under Turkmenkhovayollary State national service - all universities in Turkmenistan.
According to Khronika Turkmenistana, in 2009 all the universities in the republic (not including military schools) will accept 4275 students while 1698 will be enrolled in professional schools. This means that the government can be confident about 6 thousand students: they will have no doubts on the most dominant, ancient and wise nation in Central Asia.
It has to be noted that under Niyazov's regime the knowledge of Rukhnama was tested for all applications for any position, job and even driver's license. The month of September was renamed to Rukhnama while all foreign companies had to translate Rukhnama to their native languages. Thus, Rukhnama was translated to German (sponsored by DaimlerChrysler), Tatar (sponsored by KamAZ) and many other languages of the world. After the death of Niyazov the book has lost its popularity. In the spring of 2009 the government of Turkmenistan initiated the removal of this book from all the institutions and factories in the republic.
Nonetheless, the Turkmen government obviously decided that its nation is "the nation of the book" and the regime reminded that to all college entrants.
[End.]
Notwithstanding the tongue-in-cheek humor employed by the author of this article (OK, I admit that it was kind of funny) hope remains that President Berdymukhamedov will re-evaluate the Ruhnama's importance in light of current events in Central Asia - and Turkmenistan in particular - in favor of renewed emphasis on Ruhnama education.
Those who have studied the complete Ruhnama (Books I and II) will likely agree with me that there is very little material in either volume that can be considered objectionable. A dose of Turkmen history, honesty in the workplace, spiritual insight, family obligations, the need for good government - all combined under a central theme of love, peace and tolerance. Why would the current president want to restrict this?
Great Turkmenbashy understood that a productive and peaceful society begins with education. But he also understood (a point which has eluded many critics) that true education extends far beyond the sciences. A graduate earning a college degree, for example, who is dishonest is not a desirable employee. Similarly, a person without a work ethic will not be a productive employee or a good provider for his family. When taking in account the Ruhnama's instruction in ethics and morality, a Ruhnama-based curriculum has advantages over many of the world's highly regarded educational systems.
The meaning of life is mutual love and affection. The golden principle of your happiness is hidden in your affection for the world and life.
Man is the most excellent of all creatures. However, this perfection is possible only by living in accord with our creation. Man is human insofar as he knows himself (his own World) and lives accordingly. This is a completely different World. You cannot reach there by technological progress, science or technique.
Ruh. I:244
The recent actions by some of the world's "elite" bankers and investment brokers - men and women whose diplomas and qualifications were earned at prestigious institutions in America and Europe - caused a global financial meltdown by their trickery and deceit. And yet we are told (by those who have never opened the Ruhnama books) that compelling students to study Ruhnama and learn about ethics is depriving them of their education. Is it?
Deceitfulness is one of the characteristics most hated by Turkmen people. In some people there is one thing in the heart, something different on the tongue, and something else again in their actions. These people are very unfortunate morally. They are deprived of the most important value, that is, inner moral freedom.
Allah created men to live in real freedom and real obedience. These are part of the essence of men. A pure and honest man is spiritually strengthened by his honesty. The faithful actions of this man result in his living in harmony with his being. Regardless of the difficulties he may encounter, his purity before Allah and the nation increases his effort and strength. Even if he lives in a bad environment and age, the heart of this man, protected by Allah, resembles a house closed to badness.
Ruh. I:198, 199.
Those whose education is limited to the "basics" (math, reading, science, etc.) are only partially educated. Turkmenbashy desired a system of education that went beyond the basics and sought to strengthen - in his words - the "nobility of the soul". This is 'thinking outside the box' by devising new ways to correct shortcomings and reach a desired objective.
The results of Ruhnama education would have manifested over the years in the form of increased productivity, less crime and corruption, improved health (the mind-body-spirit connection), and a peaceful and secure society through the rejection of Islamic extremism. This last point is particularly important and is explained in more detail in my report:
Ruhnama-Islam.
The fact that President Berdymukhamedov has
not put an end to Ruhnama tests at the university level is a good sign. He should really read the books again (assuming he has ever read them) and then re-evaluate his educational policies accordingly. It is the Turkmen youth who are most impressionable - and it is better to have a hand at shaping their views of society and religion along peaceful lines than to cut them adrift without guidance.
[End.]
