FROM THE HISTORY OF ACTIVITIES OF JADIDS. Abdurauf Fitrat(1886 – 1938)

Abdurauf Fitrat was born in Bukhara (“Buxoroi-sharif”-Noble Bukhara) in 1886. His father was one of the pretty intellectual rich trader, his life passed on long journeys. His well-educated mother Mustafbibi mainly was occuped children’s education. In the beginning, Abdurauf studied in the old method school in the mahallah, then he studied at famous madrasah “Mir Arab”. In the madrasah, together thorough studying Arab, Persian languages and east philosophy, he was regular being acquainted with the I. Gaspirali’s newspaper “Tarjimon”, Mehmet Akif’s magazine “Sirot-ul mustaqim” and Rizoiddin Faxriddin’s magazine “Shuro” which was being begun spread its influence to citizens of Bukhara emirates and it was being begun woken up contempt against emirates system and colonial politics in the mind of young people. From these times, Abdurauf marked “Fitrat” pen-name for himself (“Fitrat means “create”, “to be created”, “innate”) and he printed his works in this pen-name and became famous with it.

In the years of studies of Abdurauf Fitrat, the first “Usuli Jadid” schools were established by famous intellectuals of Bukhara and from 1909 “Bukharai Sharif”, “Tarbiyai Atfol” (Children’s education) secret charity foundation started its work under their guidance. The first aim of the society was to send students to Istanbul. With the efforts of the community, several other students were sent to Istanbul together with Abdurauf Fitrat.

His four years studies in Istanbul brought in him to the world completely new politics and creative work him. Soon after, his letter named “The open letter to the highness premier minister of Bukhara Nasrullohbey Parvonachi effendi” was announced. During his studies in Istanbul University, Fitrat composed the society named “Buxoro ta’limi maorif jamiyati” for economical supporting students which were his compatriots. During 1909 – 1913 years, in Istanbul, Fitrat had published the prose works named “Munozara”, “Bayonoti sayyoh hindi” and the collected verses named “Sayha”. His poetic collection “Sayha” had a great impact on the whole of Turkestan region and Bukhara emirate. Reading the poems in this poetic collection were prohibited by the government of Bukhara and the administration of Turkestan general-governor. These poems were having the rulers frightened because of these poems were about native land and having to become balm to its wounds called. At the same time, Abdurauf Fitrat received Turkestan Autonomy with endless loving care and called it “Milliy laylatulqadrimiz”, the night of 27th of November which was announced Autonomy.

In 1920, on September 3, under the leadership of M.Frunze the coup d’état was organized under the mask “Freeing Bukhara” and emirate was liquidated. On the invitation of Fayzulla Xujaev, Abdurauf Fitrat came to Bukhara. From 1921, he worked as the minister of public education and in the other several main posts. Under the leadership him, it was passed historical resolution about opening the university of Bukhara people. In 1923-1924, Fitrat lived in Moscow, Leningrad (now Sank-Peterburg) and worked in the universities there. As well as, he was occupied with feature creative work. He created the drama “Abulfayzxon” which was the first historical tragedy in Uzbek literature and the works “Bedil”, “Qiyomat” ( Judgment day), “Shaytonning tangriga isyoni” ( The rebellion of devil against God) in Moscow.

1930 years became maturity period for Abdurauf Fitrat on the scientific-feature creative work and teaching. But, when the Soviet government strengthened its position, free thinking was limited and pursuit and pressures became stronger against Jadid intellectuals. In 1937, on April 24 when he was strong and achieved perfection he was Qrfested and in 1938, on October 4, he was shot dead as “enemy of the people” and “traitor against native land”.

Jumaev Jonibek
Scientist of the Department religious-education measures of Imom Bukhari international scientific-research center