DUSHANBE, March 16, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) has announced establishment of the Said Abdullo Nuri Award in Central Asia.

The IRPT held an annual conference entitled “Said Abdullo Nuri: Personality; Views and Heritage” in Dushanbe on March 14.

Speaking at the conference, the IRPT leader Muhiddin Kabiri noted that recipients for the Said Abdullo Nuri Award would be selected for their significant contribution to reestablishment and development of peace in Tajikistan as well as development of stability in the Central region as a whole, according to Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, a spokesman for the IRPT.

Said Abdullo Nuri headed the Islamic revival Party from 1993 to August 2006.  He died on August 9, 2006 at his home in Dushanbe after a long illness.  Nuri reportedly traveled several times to Germany for treatment of what was believed to be cancer.

Nuri was one of the leaders of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) during Tajikistan''s civil war in 1992-97.  He joined President Emomali Rahmon''s coalition government after the 1997 peace agreement, chairing the National Commission for Reconciliation.

The Islamic Revival Party, which reportedly has more than 28,000 members, is one of Tajikistan’s largest political parties, following the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDPT) and the Community Party (CPT).

Founded in October 1990, the IRPT was registered on December 4, 1991.  The party was banned by the Supreme Court in June 1993 and legalized in August 1999.  An official newspaper of the party is the weekly Najot .

The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan is the only Islamic party registered in CIS Central Asia.  The IRPT won two seats in 2005 parliamentary elections.