P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century

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however, is "Lenin-- Barodar, Rahnumo" ("Lenin--Brother, Leader"). It

was published in 1922, during the lifetime of Lenin.
In addition to "Jangi Buzurgi Vatan" ("The Great Patriotic war"), he
contributed the following: "Taronaho" ("Songs," 1942), "Nozimi Vatan"
("The Motherland Organizer," 1953), "Dar Vodii Mihnat" ("In the Do-
main of Labor," 1955), "Du Dodaron" ("Two Brothers," 1960), Shi'rho
va Dostonho (Poems and Stories, 1965), "Oshiqi Bahor" ("In Love with
Spring," 1970), and "Chashmai Ilhom" ("Fountain of Inspiration,"
1971).
Valizoda joined the Union of Writers of the Soviet Union in 1943.
He became a People's Distinguished Artist of Tajikistan in 1945, and
a People's Singer of Tajikistan in 1960. He also won two Badges of
Honor, medals, and the Honorary Order of the Presidium of the
Supreme Soviet of Tajikistan.
Valizoda died on December 12, 1971, in Kulab.
Vazirov, Zakir
Tajik politician Zakir Vazirov was born in the village of Urfad in the
Vakhie Valley in Tavildara in 1948.
Vazirov graduated from the Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute with a
degree in history in 1970. Thereafter, he worked in the same institute,
first as a Lecturer and later as the Head of the Department of Philoso-
phy. He became the Head of the Department of Higher Education in
1991. In 1992, Vazirov joined the Opposition and, under their auspices,
became the Minister of Education in the Government of National Rec-
onciliation. After the defeat of the Opposition, he received his doctorate
degree in Islamic Philosophy in 1995. He then chaired the State Book
Chamber, and was the Head of the Department of Philosophy and Cul-
tural Studies of the Tajik Institute of Commerce. After the signing of
the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Ac-
cord, according to which the Opposition was entitled to 30 percent of
government posts, Vazirov's position was revived. In October 1998, he
became Tajikistan's Vice-Premier. The following year, however, he
again left government work once.