Ashgabat, 2 September 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Students across Turkmenistan are starting the new school year today by reading a spiritual guide written by their president. All students in schools and higher education institutions must study "Rukhnama," written by Saparmurat Niyazov and published last year, in their first class of the day.
"Rukhnama" has been praised in the official media as on a par with the Koran and the Bible.
Tass reports that the country's deputy prime ministers visited higher education institutions today to give a lecture on the book, telling students they will find "clear answers to the most varied of subjects."
"Rukhnama" has been praised in the official media as on a par with the Koran and the Bible.
Tass reports that the country's deputy prime ministers visited higher education institutions today to give a lecture on the book, telling students they will find "clear answers to the most varied of subjects."