DUSHANBE, February 19, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik popular singer Afzalsho Shodiyev has won an international award, Intellect of the Nation .

Afzalsho Shodiyev is reportedly the third person in Tajikistan to win this award, following Jurabek Murodov and Sherali Jourayev.

The award ceremony will take place on February 22 in the framework of the International Image Program, Leader of XXI Century , which was approved by and given support of sociopolitical movements, business, science and art unions of the European countries.

Intellect of the Nation is given for high professional achievements and significant contributions to the intellectual development of society.

Afzalsho Shodiyev was born in the Panjkent district in 1962.  In 1983, he graduated from Tajik State Institute of Arts.

Afzalsho Shodiyev is holders of various awards, including Tajikistan’s Lenin Komsomol Prize (1989).  He is Honored Artist of Tajikistan (1993) and People’s Artist of Tajikistan (2008).

Afzalsho Shodiyev is reportedly also holder of Iraq’s Semiramis-2000 Award as well as various awards in the United States, Germany, Italy, France, the Russian Federation, Iran and Yemen.