The Ruhnama in Citizenship Education in Turkmenistan

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to examine the "Ruhnama", a book written by Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, in the context of citizenship education. In this scope, it was aimed to determine what duties and responsibilities were attributed to the state and citizens within this book. The study was conducted in accordance with the qualitative research method, and the document analysis technique was used as the data gathering tool. Based on the findings, it can be stated that the republican understanding of citizenship is dominant in the Ruhnama, and the message that Turkmen citizens should have the purpose of serving their country and nation by defending their cultural identity is delivered. The basic duties of the state to its citizens are also shaped in the same direction; the understanding that the state is obliged to take all measures necessary for every individual of the Turkmen society to adopt the core values of its culture is dominant in the book.

Keywords: Citizenship education, Turkmenistan, Ruhnama, Turkmenbashi, Education.