Journal of Akhadic Studies

[Hadash]

Journal of Akhadic Studies

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Akhadic scholar becomes first female Kuzhe in Mordvania
By: Alime Ilyasovek
Published: Vintyr, 1599


Nina Aslanbakhullina has remained indifferent to the controversy.

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Nina Aslanbakhullina, a Mordvanian Akhadic scholar, was ordered yesterday Kuzhe in Brezedina, Republic of Mordvania, becoming the first female Kuzhe in Brigidna in recorded history.

Aslanbakhullina, was previously ordered Ozman, a honorific title in Akhadism for those who are experts on Zokuk or religious law, and from 1589 and 1594 she served as yardem or assistant to the Kuzhe in a small community in Brezedina. During 1594 and 1598, she lived in the holy city of Selnas, where she completed her religious studies, under the guidance of Grand Kuzhe Amin Ziade, before returning back to Mordvania. Before that, she also worked in the National University of Brezedina as assistant professor on Akhadic History.

Aslanbakhulliana, who as many Akhadic believers in Mordvania is an ethnic Lipka, is widely respected in the Akhadic community in Brezedina, where her appointment -although with a few exceptions-, has been positively received. However, not everyone agrees in Mordvania, and her appointment may threaten to divide the Akhadic community in the Marzannan country.

Although there is no official prohibition of female clergy in the Setgvek -the holy book for Akhadic believers-, both the Akhadic oral and legal traditions had often held the rule that women were not allowed to serve as political leaders, such as high judges or kings (although there have been several cases of female Kuzhes in Near East through history). As Aslanbakhullina was also ordered Leydi-Gerekçel (a honorific title for female religious scholars only lower to Grand Kuzhe), and there is no living Grand Kuzhe in Mordvania, that would make Aslanbakhullina the highest-ranking Kuzhe in Mordvania.

The Federation of Akhadic Communities, the largest Akhadic organization in the Republic of Mordvania, has declared that Aslanbakhullina's appointment is a local matter of the Akhadic community in Brezedina, and the organization has no official position in such issue. On the other hand, the Mordvanian Organization of Akhadic Believers -associated to the Akhadic Society- has condemned her appointment, describing it as an unnecessary and divisive choice that only "may bring division into the Akhadic community".

In Ryban, where most of Akhadic community belongs to the Zokukyar denomination from more recent immigrantion waves from Near East, the reaction was even more negative, with Kuzhe Nasser Jaber calling Akhadic believers to avoid attending religious services in the city of Brezedina from sakaks which have not joined a open letter of Akhadic scholars and clergymen expressing concern about the suitability of Aslanbakhullina's appointment.

However, Refiyik Çubakovich, Kuzhe in Slovograd, and one of the most prominent members of the Akhadic community in Mordvania, has declared that such reactions may be hasty and belong to a minority of the Akhadic community, which -in his opinion- "will remain as united as always".

Aslanbakhullina, who will serve in an Akhadic sakak which belongs to the Bukh'a denomination, as most Akhadic believers in Mordvania, is expected to be centered in ritual and community issues, and she has not reacted to the alleged controversy about her appointment so far.