Tajikistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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U.S. Embassy Creates English Textbooks for Schools in Tajikistan

The US ambassador to Tajikistan, Manuel Micaller, and Tajikistan’s resident representative of the Aga Khan Development Network, Qozidavlat Qoimdodov, on February 15th joined the Tajik minister for science and education Saidzoda Rahim Hamro at a handover ceremony for 242,000 English language textbooks for secondary schools in Tajikistan. The three parties had together developed modern textbooks and curriculums for Tajik students in grades 10 and 11. The new English textbooks include 115,000 student books for each grade, 12,000 teacher’s books, and 12,000 CDs with instructional materials for teachers. These textbooks are all student-centered, communicative, and support task-based learning that promotes critical thinking. The textbooks use Tajik cultural contexts and history alongside cultures from around the world. The full set of resources — the textbooks, teacher’s books, and audio CDs — will be accompanied by a digital teacher training program on how to effectively teach language skills. The US embassy in Dushanbe is also working with partners to provide the Ministry of Education and Science with over 350,000 English language learning textbooks for grades 8 and 9, which would include 5,800 teacher’s books and 5,800 CDs with teaching materials.

USAID Helps To Eradicate Tuberculosis In Tajikistan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and National Tuberculosis Program, has completed its Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia activity (ETICA) in Tajikistan. Over four years ETICA has made remarkable achievements in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), improving the quality of TB services and enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, the US Embassy in Tajikistan said on February 13th. ETICA has made significant strides in combating tuberculosis in the country by screening more than 83,000 individuals, including vulnerable and high-risk groups, finding new cases, and putting people suffering from TB on treatment. The activity facilitated the endorsement of evidence-based guidelines and policy protocols for the TB laboratory sector, and primary health and TB care. Supported by USAID, the National Reference Laboratory earned a certificate of excellence in performing modern testing for TB; new shortened regimens were introduced to optimize TB treatment, and the health workforce capacity was built to deliver people-centered, high-quality services. In total, 1,645 medical and 1,392 non-health professionals enhanced their knowledge and skills on the various aspects of TB control. “The successful completion of the USAID’s ETICA activity in Tajikistan marks a significant milestone in the fight against TB,” said USAID Mission Director Peter Riley.

Japan-Funded Project Helps Tajikistan Manage Its Border With Afghanistan

Japan has long been a "steadfast supporter of Tajikistan, contributing tens of millions of dollars to the country’s development through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)." The Japanese government, through its Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is also funding the “Border Management Project” – an initiative to support the Tajik Government in controlling its national border with Afghanistan, UNDP Tajikistan reports. The project aims to both secure the length of the Tajik-Afghan border and facilitate cross-border trade. It was initially launched in 2015, and will run until 2025. Since its launch the parties have constructed a new border checkpoint at Langar, and modernized the old checkpoints at Khumrogi and Shogun. Toshihiro Aiki, Japan’s ambassador to Tajikistan, recently commented: “We have had favorable relationships with the government of Tajikistan since its first steps of independence. Japan supports Tajikistan in many ways, considering strategic aspects, especially in light of the changed political landscape involving the whole Eurasian continent. There are some challenges that not only Tajikistan but most of the countries face.” Given the problem of drug trafficking at the Tajik-Afghan border, the initiative is also supporting Tajikistan in disrupting illicit activities, protecting border communities from the harmful effects of the drug trade.

Tajikistan Struggling With Cost of Imports

Compared to 2022, Tajikistan imported 164,200 tons more oil products in 2023, an increase of 11.6%, Safarali Qurbanzoda, the Anti-Monopoly Service's first deputy head has announced. “According to the customs office, in 2023, 1,413,000 tons of oil products worth $892 million were imported into the republic with an average price of $631 dollars per ton. More precisely, 436,500 tons of diesel fuel, 348,100 tons of gasoline, 411,000 tons of liquefied gas and 218,000 tons of petroleum products were imported,” he stated at a press conference. Qurbanzoda added that 25.9 % of these products came from Kazakhstan, and 0.7 % from Russia, with the cost of purchases increasing by 20%. Prices at gas stations in Tajikistan also increased throughout 2023. Buses in Khojand, the second-most populous city, were stopped in October 2023 because of a sharp spike in the cost of diesel fuel, according to a report from the regional portal, SugdNews. The anti-monopoly agency attributed the rise in domestic fuel prices to “increased prices in exporting countries.”

Tajikistan’s Hajj Pilgrims Reach Record Numbers

Around 10,000 Tajikistani nationals traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to complete the Hajj pilgrimage, which is nearly three times higher than five years ago. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2,000-3,000 Tajikistanis made pilgrimages to the town of Mecca each year. This increase was first reported by the Asia-Plus news site. One of the reasons for the growing number of pilgrims is the improvement of living standards in Tajikistan. In recent years citizens' incomes have increased, meaning they have had the opportunity to go on pilgrimage more often. Additionally, visa procedures for Tajikistan have been simplified by Saudi Arabia's introduction of an e-visa system -- which citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also have access to. Those going to Mecca can now obtain a tourist visa for $140 through the official Saudi e-visa website. Previously, Tajik citizens could travel to the Kingdom only after first obtaining a visa from the Saudi Arabian embassy in Dushanbe. Another reason is that Hajj pilgrimages are becoming more popular culturally. Tajik society has become more religious in recent years, with some people now performing Hajj three or four times in their lifetime. However, in one of his greetings to the nation last year, the prominent Imam Ali Rahman expressed his concern that some people “make visiting the house of God a special family competition, and [feel obliged to] perform Hajj several times.” Going on Hajj has also become cheaper. In recent years the price of a simple pilgrimage has decreased slightly, and it has become possible to travel through Uzbekistan and Russia. Tajik companies providing Umrah Hajj services this year are asking for between 17,000 somoni ($1,550) and 19,000 somoni ($1,750) per person. Previously this amount ranged from 20,000 somoni ($1,832) to 25,000 somoni ($2,290).

Set of Quadruplets Born in Dushanbe

A set of quadruplets, one boy and three girls, have been born in Dushanbe. They weigh between 1.8 and 2.2 kg, and doctors have declared the newborns to be in good health. The quadruplets' parents intended to give them the names Ahmadjan, Hosiya, Aliya, and Sumaya. The family doesn't yet own a home, are paying exorbitant rent for a one-room apartment, and are seeking assistance from the government. The father of the quadruplets, Kanoatsho Khudoyorov, hopes they will be assigned a one-room apartment in the capital, saying their load would be lessened multiple times over by such a kind deed. “It is difficult to look after and feed children in the village,” he stated. Parents with four or more children have, for a few years now, been eligible for housing assistance or financial aid from the government. While Khudoyorov is very happy about the birth of his children, he's also concerned about the family’s future, because, as the kids get older, the cost will only mount. He finds it challenging to find work that pays the rent, utility bills, and the kids’ needs. “We pay 4,000 somoni ($365) for this apartment; the term ends on February 10, and I need to find a cheaper apartment. My salary is not enough for everything,” said the construction worker. This is the second instance of quadruplets born this year in Tajikistan. Two sons and two daughters were born on January 14th to 27-year-old Mijgona Asoeva of Kizilkala village in the Khatlon Region.