EIGHTIES (1980 - 1983). PARTING WITH THE FATHER OF THE NATION
SHARAF RASHIDOV WAS BURIED CEREMONIALLY, WITH THE HIGHEST STATE HONOURS. RASHIDOV'S BODY WAS BROUGHT TO THE PEOPLES' FRIENDSHIP PALACE – A NEW, AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL BUILDING. THE CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED SHORTLY BEFORE THE SAD EVENT, AND SHARAF RASHIDOV HIMSELF HAD INITIATED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING.
People saw off Sharaf Rashidov on his last journey as if he was their relative or friend. Following instructions from Moscow, the authorities planned to organise a farewell ceremony for a few hours. It began on the morning of 2 November. People came from all over Uzbekistan, even from the most remote villages. Old men in chapan robes, and people of all nationalities walked in a continuous stream past his coffin; many could not hide their tears and grief, as if they were burying the closest relative. No one forced them, and no one summoned them for the purpose. The huge square in front of the Peoples' Friendship Palace was filled with people. No one was going to leave it; only more and more people came. The authorities had to extend access to the body until six o'clock in the evening, then until eight, but for a long time, the doors of the palace were open. The next day Sharaf Rashidov was buried in a park in the centre of Tashkent.
To participate in the funeral, the Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU Vladimir Dolgikh, was sent from Moscow. It was evident from his behaviour and facial expression that he did not expect and was shocked by the universal sincere love of the people for their leader, which was uncharacteristic for that period in the Soviet Union.
LATER, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF SPECULATION, SOMETIMES BLASPHEMOUS, REGARDING THE DEATH OF SHARAF RASHIDOV. THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS DEATH SAID: "ON OCTOBER 31, 1983, SHARAF RASHIDOVICH RASHIDOV, CANDIDATE FOR THE POLITBURO OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE CPSU, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF UZBEKISTAN, MEMBER OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME SOVIET OF THE USSR, FACED A SUDDEN DEATH. A PROMINENT FIGURE IN THE COMMUNIST PARTY AND THE SOVIET STATE, HE DEVOTED HIS WHOLE LIFE TO THE GREAT CAUSE OF BUILDING COMMUNISM."
