Monday, February 13, 2012

Turkmenistan

New Turkmen University Named After Leader’s Book

Turkmen President Niyazov (file photo) (AFP)

13 December 2005 -- Turkmen President Sapamurat Niyazov says he has ordered the construction of a new university in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat.

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December 13, 2005

Niyazov said on 12 December that the university, which should be built by 2010, will be able to admit 3,000 students.

Niyazov, who said the university would have a positive impact on the development of Turkmen society and its people's well-being, has named the university after his book "The Rukhnama."

"The Rukhnama," or "Book of the Soul," is a moral code supposedly authored by Niyazov and now mandatory reading for every Turkmen schoolchild.

The month of September has already been named after the book and 2005 was declared “the year of Rukhnama.”

(AP)

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