Tajikistan: President's grandson is Instagram king. But is that all? – Eurasianet

In Tajikistan, only the president is permitted to enjoy an unfettered public profile. An intriguing exception to this norm is emerging, however, with another figure amassing huge levels of apparent popularity and prominence. This person too is a member of the ruling family. Ismoil Mahmadzohir, who turned 26 last month, is the grandson of President Emomali Rahmon. His mother, Firuza, is one of Rahmon’s seven daughters. Mahmadzohir – a visually distinctive character on account of his moustache; not a popular fashion choice in Tajikistan – owes his recognizability to a considerable extent to Instagram, where he has 2 million followers. Each post generates hundreds of likes and comments. Mahmadzohir describes himself in English on the platform as an entrepreneur, athlete, and a philanthropist. Instagram reveals the young man to have a fondness for fancy cars, of which he owns several. One is appointed with the vanity plate number 1111. He further professes to be a fan of buzkashi, a highly rough-and-tumble horse-riding competition in which two teams fight for possession of a headless goat. There is a more formal, workmanlike aspect to Mahmadzohir’s activities too. Since November, he has served as president of the Judo Federation of Tajikistan. In May
Read More