MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) - The memory of the Great Patriotic War lives in the hearts of people, although more than 80 years have passed since the world achieved victory over fascism, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Belarus Bakhtovar Safarzoda said at a press conference titled “The Great Patriotic War: Without Statute of Limitations, Without the Right to Forget” dedicated to the launch of the book "Together! The Great Victory."
“We feel pride for our Motherland, which our fathers and grandfathers liberated from the fascist invaders, paying for it with their lives. We honor the memory of all those generations who won the Great Victory. And along with this, we must constantly remember that peace needs our protection,” the diplomat said.
During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the peoples of the Soviet Union stood united against the common enemy, he said.
“Despite being territorially distant from the front line, Tajikistan made a huge contribution to the Victory. Out of the 1.5 million residents of the republic, about 300,000 people went to the front, and 100,000 of them never returned home. Among them were not only men, but also 15,000 women — pilots, snipers, machine gunners, doctors, and signal corps women. They fought alongside men, demonstrating unparalleled heroism and courage,” the ambassador emphasized.
He also stated: "Tajikistan became a powerful support base for the front. In the republic, all industries were completely repurposed for military needs: making uniforms, parachute silk, army footwear, and food. Tajikistan became home for the evacuees from territories seized by the enemy, sharing their last resources with those forced to leave their native land. Parcels with food, clothing, and valuable items were sent to the front. The labor feats of the workers, collective farmers, and intelligentsia of Tajikistan were highly appreciated by the government.”
"During the war years, 993 people were awarded orders of the USSR, and 102,000 were awarded the medals 'For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945' which was considered equivalent to feats on the front lines. Heroically, Tajiks, together with other peoples of the USSR, fought on the battlefields in the name of the independence of their Homeland. More than 50,000 natives of Tajikistan were awarded orders and medals, 57 of them were honored with the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union, and 19 became full cavaliers of the Order of Glory of all three classses,” the ambassador cited the figures.
Bakhtovar Safarzoda noted the importance of the joint struggle of the peoples of Tajikistan and Belarus during the war years. After all, tens of thousands of Tajik soldiers participated in the liberation of Belarusian land from the enemy. Among them was Hero of the Soviet Union Domullo Azizov, who died fighting for the freedom of Belarus. Now one of the schools in Minsk bears his name. Guard Sergeant Fathullo Akhmedov, commander of an anti-tank rifle crew of the 61st Guards Cavalry Regiment of the 17th Guards Cavalry Division of the 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps of the 1st Belorussian Front, participated in the liberation of the Belarusian Polesie region. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 2014, in the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, five residents of Dushanbe were awarded commemorative medals of the Republic of Belarus.
The heroism of Tajik soldiers is reflected not only in awards, but also in literary works. “The writer Fateh Niyazi, in his novel 'Don't Say the Forest is Empty,' described the struggle of partisans in the Belarusian forests. And the poet Saidali Mamur depicted the tragedy and feat of the Belarusian people in the collection 'The Bells of Khatyn'. These works tell the younger generations about the mutual support and heroism of our peoples," the diplomat stated.
During the Great Patriotic War, Tajikistan admitted thousands of evacuees. “In total, about 100,000 people, including 10,000 children, found refuge on Tajik soil. By 1942, 29 evacuation hospitals had been established in the republic, where the wounded recovered. More than 50,000 soldiers were restored to health, which is equivalent to five divisions. Tajikistan continues to carefully preserve the history of the feats of its ancestors, who gave their lives for freedom and independence," the head of the diplomatic mission said. "As President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon noted, we are proud that, hundreds of thousands of Tajik people fought side by side with representatives of other peoples. Those were the brave sons of Tajikistan, who made a worthy contribution to the Victory.”
Ambassador Bakhtovar Safarzoda also noted that the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War occupied an important place within the framework of Tajikistan's chairmanship of the CIS in 2025. Tajikistan supported the initiative to set up a museum of the home front and Alley of Glory for Heroes of the Soviet Union, natives of the republic.
In 2014, in the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, five residents of Dushanbe were awarded commemorative medals of the Republic of Belarus.
The heroism of Tajik soldiers is reflected not only in awards, but also in literary works. “The writer Fateh Niyazi, in his novel 'Don't Say the Forest is Empty,' described the struggle of partisans in the Belarusian forests. And the poet Saidali Mamur depicted the tragedy and feat of the Belarusian people in the collection 'The Bells of Khatyn'. These works tell the younger generations about the mutual support and heroism of our peoples," the diplomat stated.
During the Great Patriotic War, Tajikistan admitted thousands of evacuees. “In total, about 100,000 people, including 10,000 children, found refuge on Tajik soil. By 1942, 29 evacuation hospitals had been established in the republic, where the wounded recovered. More than 50,000 soldiers were restored to health, which is equivalent to five divisions. Tajikistan continues to carefully preserve the history of the feats of its ancestors, who gave their lives for freedom and independence," the head of the diplomatic mission said. "As President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon noted, we are proud that, hundreds of thousands of Tajik people fought side by side with representatives of other peoples. Those were the brave sons of Tajikistan, who made a worthy contribution to the Victory.”
Ambassador Bakhtovar Safarzoda also noted that the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War occupied an important place within the framework of Tajikistan's chairmanship of the CIS in 2025. Tajikistan supported the initiative to set up a museum of the home front and Alley of Glory for Heroes of the Soviet Union, natives of the republic.
"We are grateful to the people and leadership of the Republic of Belarus for their care in preserving the memory of war heroes, among whom were Tajik soldiers. We must never forget that peace, harmony, and friendship between peoples are crucially important for a bright future. We thank the veterans who saved the world from fascism. Their feat inspires us to strengthen humanism and friendship between the peoples of different countries of the world,” the Ambassador noted.
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