| Soviet Tajikistan Prepared by Iraj Bashiri Copyright, Iraj Bashiri, 2005 |
Before the fall of the Soviet Union, a major attempt was made by the authorities to introduce the republics of the Soviet Union to the world. As a result, prominent Soviet figures were asked to produce a series of promotional books for the purpose. The task of introducing Tajikistan to the world was assigned to Muhammad Osimi (same as Mukhamed Asimov or Osimov). Entitled Socialist Republics of the Soviet Union, the Novosti Press Agency Publishing House published the series in 1987. Because the series presents a final look at the Soviet republics through Soviet eyes, it is important that these documents remain in the literatures related to the region and be used by those who wish a to be informed about the past history of the Soviet Union as it was seen by the Soviets themselves.
A Brief Note on the Life of Muhammad Osimi
By Iraj Bashiri
Copyright, Iraj Bashiri, 2002
Tajik
philosopher Muhammad Saifiddinovich Osimov, also referred to as Osimi, was born
on September 1, 1920, in Khujand. He joined the CPSU in 1945.
Osimov
studied at the Leninabad Worker's College in 1937, and in 1941 graduated from
the Samarqand State Institute of Physics and Mathematics. From 1941 to 1946, he
served at the War front. From 1946 to 1952, he was a head teacher and Director
of the Department of Physics of the Leninabad State Pedagogical Institute.
Between 1952 and 1955, he was a post-graduate student of sociology at the
Academy of Social Sciences of the Soviet Union. From 1956 to 1962, he was the
Associate Minister of Education. From 1962 to 1965, he was the Secretary of the
Communist Party of Tajikistan and Acting Director of the Cabinet of Ministers
of Tajikistan. In 1965, he became the President of the Academy of Sciences of
Tajikistan. He received his doctorate in philosophy in 1971 and in the same
year, became a professor. In 1974, he became a Corresponding Member of the
Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
Osimov's
research deals with natural philosophy, the history of Marxism-Leninism, and
history of science and literature. He has studied several problems of
contemporary physics regarding the development of matter. In his philosophical
discussions, he has dealt with the development of the thought patterns of the
peoples of the east, and has come to interesting conclusions. He has also
studied some of the problems related to science and society, science and
production, the status of certain major scientific and literary figures of
Tajikistan, and methodology for defense against anti-Communism. His
contributions include Asari Barjastai Filosofioi Marksisti (Distinguished Work on Marxism, 1960), Nakhustin Dorulfununi Mo (Our First University, 1961), Materia va Tasviri
Fizikii Olam (Matter
and the Physical Visualization of the Universe, 1966), Paidoish va Tashakkuli
Tafakkuri Falsafi (Appearance
and Formation of Philosophical Thinking, 1976), Issledovanie etnicheskoi istorii drevnei
Tsentral'noi Azii v sovetskoi nauke (Soviet Science and Research on the Ethnic History of
Central Asia,
1977), and Tasakkul va Takamoli Afkari Falsafi (Formation and Evolution of
Philosophic Thought,
Dushanbe, 1980). He was the Chief Editor of the monumental Ensaiklopediai
Sovetii Tojik (Soviet
Tajik Encyclopedia,
1978-1988).
Osimov
was recognized as a Distinguished National Icon, a Distinguished Contributor to
Tajik Science and Culture, Head of the Paivand (Connection) Committee, and
Vice-President of the Association of Tajiks from Around the World. He also won
the Jawaharlal Nehru Prize in 1980. He garnered two Orders of Lenin, two Orders
of the Red Banner of Labor, the October Revolution Award, the Order of the
Patriotic war 1st class, the Order of the Red Star, the Badge of
Honor, medals, and the Honorary Order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of
Tajikistan.
Osimov
was murdered on July 29, 1996, in Dushanbe.