ПРЕЗИДЕНТ ТАДЖИКИСТАНА НА ЦЕРЕМОНИИ ОТКРЫТИЯ СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА НОВОЙ МЕЧЕТИ (АНГЛИЙСКАЯ ВЕРСИЯ)

Speech by President of the Republic of Tajikistan at the ceremony of beginning of construction mosque in Dushanbe October 5, 2009.                In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate!                 Dear compatriots!                 Dear guests.                  As part of activities commemorating the 1,310th anniversary day of Imam Azam of the great scholar of the Islamic world, the founder and current leader of the Sunni branch of tolerance and Islam today we will witness yet another enjoyable event — the beginning of construction of the largest mosque and Islamic University in Tajikistan capital, sovereign — a city of Dushanbe. Glorifying our sovereignty and independence of the country, which created an opportunity for the development of the creative process, I congratulate all of you, distinguished members present and all the nice people and Muslims in Tajikistan. It should be noted that the essence of the teachings of all world religions, including Islam is a faith in the Almighty. Mosques, we also called the house of God, and they are for all believers are very clean and bright place in Islam, as usually express their dreams and aspirations to God by performing pray. This is the second attribute of the Islamic religion. Muslims only by making pray bow before God and in this way purify their hearts and souls. Therefore, the construction of mosques is considered good business. Including in the sura (Arabian word) Oli Imron says: "The first house, which was intended to pray to God in Mecca, is the main mosque of the city and the place of determining the way people in the direction of his Creator." We are known for our national sovereignty, so that the conditions for restoration of cultural, spiritual and religious values of our people and Muslims are a sovereign country under the existing laws and without any barriers perform their religious rites. In accordance with the Constitution Tajik state and the principles of pluralism, freedom of conscience and other rights, freedoms and civil rights and ensures their implementation into practice. And were noted, a mosque for Muslims is a holy place and the place of the expression of human aspirations. The faithful come to the mosques for spiritual food. But we must remember that this spiritual food should be pure and holy as the bread, which goes to honest labor. These foods should sanctify the mind and soul, and enlighten our hearts and strengthen the spirit.From this point of view, the place of glorification of Allah should not be used as a platform to promote other people's radical ideas and opinions, and sowing discord and religious fanaticism. Muslims around the world the mosque should be a place of education of people and a means of unification of.                  Islam directs people on the path of honesty and truthfulness, and this determines the tolerant teachings of ways and means to introduce the attributes of the Islamic religion.                   One of the most important factors in the development and dissemination of the teachings of the Great Imam of the Central Asia region plays an important role in the spiritual life and outlook of the peoples of the region, including Tajik, and due to its historical homeland. Many disciples of Abu Hanifa came from the regions of Khorasan and Movarounnahr cities. His teachings are fully coincides with the traditions of the people and is a means of solving many problems and issues related to the life of society. The disciples of Abu Hanifa in the years studied his work and promoted among the people. The direction of Hanafi within established on the basis of the methods and laws of piety and Islamic tolerance and fully meets the requirements of both material and spiritual needs of Muslims throughout the world. His teachings are applied today in the daily lives of his followers. As part of activities related to the year of memory, honoring and eternal heritage of Tajik worthy son named after of Abu Hanifa Nu'man ibn Sobit. Today we begin to build the biggest mosque of our sovereign Tajikistan. In accordance with the construction project in the mosque and around the same time will fit up to 150 thousand believers. We hope that after the completion of the mosque people with pure hearts to visit this place to perform religious rites.                  It should be noted that the project will be implemented by the company Adnan Saffarini from the United Arab Emirates under financial support of Qatar. The construction is expected to officially commence in October this year and the mosque will be finished in five years.Besides the prayer halls, the mosque will also have library, museum as well as reception and conference halls. While working out the design, specialists took into consideration features of Tajik national architecture. Tajik leader proposed to build Islamic university near the mosque.At a location nearby mosque to be built a large building for the Islamic University, which will be the most modern building. I would also like to note that learning at the Islamic University will be organized in accordance with modern curriculum and its graduates upon completion of training, along with the mastery of theological knowledge, will be studying several foreign languages and that, importantly, will acquire certain specialty. In connection with the construction of this great mosque wish to emphasize that given the economic problems and the construction of other buildings that have a vital importance for the country, we have begun this good intention, by donations of citizens of Tajikistan and other countries, as well as from organizations and agencies, local and foreign investors.                   And we will build this important facility in our country we pray to God that our house, Tajikistan, became more prosperous and landscaped.                   We hope that in the very near future this place will become one of the great centers of Islamic culture in our country.                  With this pious intention to welcome arriving guests are dear to us, including the Minister of International Cooperation of the State of Qatar, Holiday Al Atiya, who will contribute to the construction of this mosque. Once again, welcome and congratulate all those present to commemorate the 1310 anniversary of the Great Imam and started building the great mosque and the Islamic University. I wish success to the builders in the timely completion and quality construction of this grand structure.                     Thank you!