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It is the locution pronounced by one
of the leaders of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan
Muhiddin Kabiri. Ideology based on respect for Islamic values
and religious tenet are different notions. But that fact that
the Islamic tenet indicates the way of the most effective
and optimal management of society and state should not be
brought into challenge, the scientist considers.
Our newspaper continues to acquaint the readers with the opinion
of well-known political votaries, representatives of political
parties of Tajikistan preparing for recurrent parliamentary
elections. This time we accord our tribune to IRPT deputy
chairman Muhiddin Kabiri.
- It is known that one of the signs of a democratic society
is the existence of multiple parties. For Tajikistan, just
as for other CIS countries, which chose a democratic way of
development is beset with certain difficulties and problems.
The legislation of the republic does not envisage any limitations
for erection of political parties and their activities, but
in order multiple parties enjoyed firm footing the society
should be ready to accept the phenomenon in question. How
do you qualify the situation in the country concerned with
multitude of parties?
- Tajikistan sustains the period of formation in regard to
multitude of parties. Any new phenomenon collides with resistance.
And it is natural. All countries confronted difficulties associated
with the establishment of the system of parties multitude,
even those ones where only two or three parties functioned.
I don't stand for limitation in a number of parties. The life
itself will smooth over this process and two, three, or maximum
four large-scale parties will remain on the political arena.
Two-parties system and multitude of parties should be differentiated.
There are over two hundred political parties in the USA, but
only two parties - democratic and republican - take part in
elections. To my mind, the same process will be going in RT,
but in order two-three big parties formed it is necessary
to give a chance of formation and ideological elaboration
to all parties. This process needs about 10-15 years, or 3-4
electoral campaigns in order the population of the republic
and political forces opted two-three mightiest parties around
which much minor ones would concentrate.
- The word "Islamic" is included into the name
of Your party. Does it mean that IRPT is a religious party
and in case it assumes the power will the Constitution of
Tajikistan proclaiming the country to be a secular state be
reconsidered a recurrent time? to put it otherwise - don't
the ideology of Your party and the present Basic Law of the
republic contradict each other?
- I don't consider our party to be a religious one as its
activity is based on the grounds of secular legislation. However,
religious values lie in the foundations of our ideology. Confusion
in interpretations occurs just for this reason. The goal pursuing
preservation of religious values can't contradict a secular
state built up. In many European countries there exist the
parties based on Christian values, for example, in Germany
- Christian-Democratic Union and Christian-Secular Union.
However, in spite of their influence upon the state policy
Germany remains to be a secular democratic state. In this
aspect our strategy coincides with the position of the majority
of parties in the republic. At the same time I must say that
a secular state built up by us must be grounded on Islamic
values. Now our party musters 20 thousand members, but if
to count its active adherents it will add 40 thousand more.
We try to refuse from the politics of quantity, but lay an
emphasis on quality and political consciousness of people
sharing our ideology.
- In the republic there functions "Hizb-ut-Tahrir"
illegal party declaring itself to be a genuine vehicle of
Islam. What can you say on this occasion?
- The Islamic Revival Party determined its attitude towards
this movement long ago, it stands against the latter for two
reasons. Firstly, we don't approve of organizations which
overstep the frames of the law; and secondly, "Hizb-ut-Tahrir"
ideology goes counter to the tolerant Islamic ideology which
formed in Tajikistan. We presume that this ideology is brought
to Tajikistan and to Central Asia upon the whole from outside,
it doesn't respond either to cultural traditions and values
or to comprehension of Islam we stick to. The idea of world
Khalifat is a utopia which may ruin hundreds of lives. Thereof,
we stand against this party. Why does this party have a lot
of admirers among youth? Unfortunately, today our youth is
not drawn into social life. No one functioning political party
has a clear-cut program on a work with youth. The level of
unemployment among youth is very high. Youth suffers with
ambitions and inner discontent with society, that's why it
seeks for more radical methods of self-realization. "Hizb-ut-Tahrir"
gives a chance for radical moods of young people being aimed
against the society which doesn't sove its problems earnestly.
I see the main reason just in it. Not only the government
and political parties should work, but the whole society must
contribute to it either. I must say that in the countries
where the positions of the Islamic Revival Party are strong
"Hizb-ut-Tahrir" influence is gradually ebbing.
The Islamic Revival Party gives a chance of choice for youth:
either to be in our party and solve their problems on a lawful
basis or to act illegally. I am afraid that in those regions
where multitude of parties develops weakly illegal parties
will intensify their sway.
On the other hand, we don't search for disciples among "Hizb-ut-Tahrir"
members and don't involve them into our party, as this matter
is devoid of perspectives, it will affect the image of the
party. But if to speak concretely, our party together with
other parties and the government should map out a program
on opposing not only this concrete party but extremism upon
the whole however it may evince itself in order to save the
youth from the influence of extremistic ideology.
- A little bit more than a year is left before parliamentary
elections. The parties have already started to be preparing
for them. Are any blocs between you and other parties possible
to the issue of this?
- Our party will take the most active part in the forthcoming
parliamentary elections. We are preparing for them. At the
present time political parties ac self-sufficiently. For the
time being nobody has announced about a creation of any blocs
or alliances. But the things may go such way when every party
will wish to verify its force and authority among population
anew, but under different conditions already. We don't stand
against any blocs. We admit an origination of some tactical
unions. For the time being we haven't determined our allies,
but there are definite principles on whose basis we may join
some blocs or alliances. Here refer coincidence of basic program
goals and defense of religious values. Herewith, such ideas
as democratization, creation of a civic society should not
be used as slogans or covers for attainment of one's own purposes.
Political parties ought to prove their adherence to democracy,
publicity and freedom by their practical deeds. We are ready
to work with such parties forming blocs with them.
- It is not secret that at the previous elections the Popular-Democratic
Party used all the levers of influence over the course of
elections being at its disposal. What measures, to your point
of view, should be undertaken not to admit anything similar
at the forthcoming elections to the parliament?
- First of all, those parties which suffered at the previous
elections from the so-called "administrative resource"
should unite. But I don't mean to unite against PDPT, I stress
it, but against gerrymandering which will have emerged, to
my mind, beyond doubts. Those parties which enjoy influence
in certain constituents must take the situation under control
and not to admit breaches of the law. Thus they will defend
the interests of other parties as well. If such collaboration
and mutual support are organized there is a hope that political
parties will be able to withstand those representatives of
powerful frameworks who will make endeavors aimed at governing
over elections.
- In any country President is a guarantor of Constitution,
observance of citizens' rights and freedoms. Many people consider
that his affiliation to some political party violates the
principles of equality and impartiality. Wouldn't it be expedient
from this viewpoint that our head of the state should refuse
from the position of PDPT chairman?
- This issue is the subject of wide debates and controversies
since long time not only at home, but abroad as well. Typically,
people elected leaders of states give up a party post indulging
themselves completely in state work. But there is no unconditional
provision on that score in the legislation of Tajikistan.
Another problem is associated with general political culture
in the country. If PDPT wants to have such a strong and authoritative
leader it is the right of its own. But, on the other hand,
it would be an ideal variant if the president took a decision
to suspend his membership in the party. It's natural that
all oppositional political parties would like to act in the
surroundings of honest and equal competition between all challenges.
When one party's leader is a president others find themselves
under non-equal conditions beforehand. President, as a member
of one party, can defend the rights of all citizens of the
country. But he is, first of all, a president and only after
it he is a party member. I don't think that the post of PDPT
chairman may prevent him from executing the functions of the
state head. Everything depends on the level of political culture.
If the president ensures equal rights for all parties at the
elections it will testify to his democracy. A situation is
possible when a president deserts a party and is not interested
in its life any more, but it will be another aspect already.
That's why one should think what is better.
- The government states that now GDP growth tempos are
the highest ones in CIS but living standard is not rising.
The situation is proved by unemployment in the country, migration
of hundreds of thousands of citizens to other countries where
they earn their living. What do You think, do the economic
reforms conducted in the republic promote the development
of market economy and people's welfare?
- One should be just. The government does a lot to improve
the economic situation in the country and raise population's
subsistence level, but still we can't enjoy respective results.
First of all, we must combat with corruption. As for me, I
impute all our grievances to the high degree of corruption
in the country. It is that factor which is on the way of economic
reforms hindering their development.
- If You tell that corruption is the main reason which
accounts for non-advancement of reforms why isn't there any
motion aimed at combat with it?
- We speak a lot about this problem but there are very few
practical deeds dealing with its eradication. The primary
reason lies in human resources policy. If we want to combat
with this phenomenon we should begin with human resources.
When people mixed in corruption enjoy positions in powerful
frameworks this problem can't be raised at all. Such combat
will be simply reduced to formalities. We won't move further
than mere talks about it. Here we need new people, new comprehension
and even new generation, I deem.
- In the contemporary world such a small country as Tajikistan
can't do without strategic partnership with big powers. Whom
do You see in the role of a strategic partner for Tajikistan?
- The choice of "an elder brother" for Tajikistan
is very difficult. The experience proved that a hasteful choice
of a partner is dangerous. The trouble is that Russia, being
our strategic partner, has been sustaining itself great hardships
in economic sphere, and, naturally, it is unable to support
Tajikistan in full volume. Therefore the republic has to search
for other partners too. I consider one should uphold good
relations with all countries and international financial institutes
but emphasis must be laid upon European countries. They proved
that betrayal of partners is a very rare occasion with them.
- There exists the opinion that Islam and democracy are
incompatible concepts and it is next to impossible to build
up a civil society in an Islamic state. Even if there is no
Islamic regime in a Moslem country the very modus vivendi
of Muslims, their mentality would prevent from originating
a genuine democratic state. Your opinion on that score.
- I am sure, we are able to build up a civil society in Tajikistan
even with taking into consideration our realias and our mentality.
Though we are surrounded by the countries which are much farther
from civil society and democratic values than Tajikistan.
From times immemorial Tajiks professed publicity, free thinking.
For them a poet or a philosopher were of greater significance
than a statesman or a war lord. It's not occasional that we
had been tossing for long in our searches for a historic ideal
until we stopped on Ismoil Somoni, whereas other peoples had
found their symbols long ago. For example, for Uzbeks it is
Timur, for Russians - Peter the First, though both were dictators.
Even our simple choice was the result of long scrutiny, debates,
quests, consideration of a great deal of opinions testifying
to the democratic cast of Tajiks. But effectuation of a civic
society is a long historic way, which may even be equal to
a whole epoch in the life of this or that people.
- Tell a bit about Yourself, please, how you came to big
politics. Why did You choose the Islamic Revival Party?
- In the period of studies in Moscow diplomatic academy the
inter-Tajik negotiations were held there and I was invited
as an expert in the international law. I get acquainted with
the people representing both parties, with janub Abdulloi
Nuri, in particular. When the commission had removed to Dushanbe
he invited me as an assistant. In 2000, A. Nuri had suggested
my running for parliamentary from the party; after the elections
I was offered a position of his deputy. Since that time I
have been working in the party though many of my colleagues
consider my membership in the party and the work in its leading
frameworks as paradoxical. But I think that my work influenced
somehow party's adaptation in social life, population's approach
towards this party, it imported secular features to our organization.
I am 37 years old, I finished the special statistical school
in Ordzhonikidzeobod, I graduated from the Arabic department
of the faculty of Oriental studies under the Tajik State University,
from Sana University in Yemen and the diplomatic academy in
Moscow. I am a candidate of political sciences; I am married
and have five sons.
- Thank You.
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