P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Turajonzoda, Hoji Akbar

Tajik judge and politician Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, also referred to

as Akbar Qahhorov, was born in Kofarnihon into the family of the Ishan

of Turajon on February 16, 1954. He received his early education in

Kofarnihon.

Between 1972 and 1976, he studied at the Mir Arab Madrasa in

Bukhara. From 1976 to 1980, he continued his studies at the Islamic In-

stitute of Tashkent. From 1980 to 1982, he was a reviewer for the Cen-

tral Asian Theological Journal. Between 1982 and 1987, he studied at

the Aman University of Jordan, specializing in Islamic jurisprudence.

Between 1985 and 1987, he worked at the Department of International

Relations in the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Central Asia

in Tashkent. From September 1987 to August 1988, he taught at the Is-

lamic Institute of Tashkent. In August 1988, he was appointed Chief

Judge (Qozikalon) of Tajikistan. In 1990, he was elected a representa-

tive to Tajikistan's Supreme Soviet. After the 1992 defeat of the Oppo-

sition, he traveled abroad.

In 1993, Turajonzoda joined MIRT, and became its First Deputy

Chairman, as well as the Chairman of the IRPT. Between 1995 and

1997, as part of the United Tajik Opposition negotiation team, he par-

ticipated in several rounds of Tajik Government and Opposition Peace

Talks. In March 1998, he was promoted to the position of Tajikistan's

first Vice-Premier, responsible for Tajikistan's relationship with the

Commonweath of Independent States. His support of Rahmonov in the

1999 election resulted in his dismissal as the Deputy Chairman of the

IRPT.

His contributions include Miyoni Obu Otash (Amid Water and Fire,

1998). Turajonzoda received the Order of Ismoili Somoni in 1999.