P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century

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Usmon, Toji

Tajik author and journalist Toji Usmon was born in Khujand on July
12, 1906. He joined the CPSU in 1930.
Usmon graduated from the State University of Central Asia in Tash-
kent in 1933. Between 1933 and 1953, he served as associate Editor of
Tojikistoni Surkh, Editor of Khujand's Bo Rohi Lenin, and associate
Editor of the satirical journal Khorpushtak.
Usmon's first stories appeared in Tojikistoni Surkh in 1930. In 1957,
he published an account of the lives of prominent Tajik women entitled
Bistu Si Adiba (Twenty-Three Intellectual Women). He also published
many articles and studies in praise of the workers and farmers, but
against the oppressive regime of the Soviets.
Usmon's works include "Kashfi Asror" ("Discovery of Secrets,"
1959); "Sho'ira Mahasti Khujandi" ("The Poetess Mahasti Khujandi,"
1962); "Dukhtari Niqobpush" ("The Masked Girl," 1965); and "Mubo-
rak Qadam" ("With Auspicious Steps," 1965).
Usmon joined the Union of Writers of the Soviet Union in 1967. He
died in Khujand on October 23, 1968.
Usmonov, Ibrahim
Tajik politician Ibrahim Usmonov was born in the northern Asht
district of Leninabad in 1947.
Usmonov graduated from Tajikistan State University with a degree
in Journalism in 1971. Soon after, he joined the staff of Tojikistoni
Soveti. In 1976, Usmonov received his doctorate degree in journalism
from Moscow State University. Between 1976 and 1993, he was a
Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Professor, and eventually the Dean of the
Faculty of Journalism of Tajikistan State University. He became the
Minister of Communications in 1993, and was elected to the Tajik Con-
gress (Majlisi Oli) in 1994. In 1995, he served as an adviser to the
President. From 1995 to 2000, Usmonov was the Chair of the Parlia-
mentary Committee on International Affairs, Interethnic Relations, and
Culture. In February 2000, became the Chair of the Standing Committee
on International Affairs, Public Organizations, and Information as well.
In January 2000, Usmonov discontinued his affiliation with the
Central Committee of the CPT and joined the People's Democratic