Abai is like the sea - Garifolla Esim, Doctor of Philosophy

Gaining our independence we more and more drew our eyes to the past, search for our national identity, sources to sip knowledge at. One of such sources is writings of Garifolla Esim, Doctor of Philosophy, Academician of the National Academy of Science, and Senator of the Kazakh Parliament. For many years the Senator has been researching the creative work of Abai, Shakarim, Yasavi, and other thinkers of the past. His writings have new methodological and scientific approach on new Turkish and Kazakh philosophy and culture. An outstanding example of it is his book ?An insider?s critique of the Kazakh People and Nation, Reflections on the Writings of Abai Kunanbai ? uhli?, translated into English and edited by R. Ch. Weller with assistance of T. Galkina. There might appear a question: why has the scholar undertaken the interpretation of Abai?s Words? Is not it enough for anyone to read the Words yourself? Here is the scholar?s answer. First of all, ?to express his thoughts freely, Abai introduces a new original genre: the Word. It requires very accurate interpretation. In its form and content, it is close to a philosophical treatise, which is why Abai places an emphasis upon logic in the foreground of his words, displacing figurative speech, which is used more often in his poetry? In a day and age when one became a transgressor for expressing their own thoughts, it was of course impossible for the genre of ?the word? to be developed, and thus for the tradition of Abai to be continued on. It is hoped that this genre can be renewed and continued in our day, since the foundations have been laid for it. That which we call ?pluralism? today was the method of thought which Abai employed in his own time.? Secondly, Dr. G. Yesim believes that Kazakhs can not be a meaningful identity if they do not know their roots, have not read Abai, Shakarim, Yasavi or other great representatives of their people. It is impossible to make a good deed if you do not know your past. Reading writings of our great ancestors helps us keep the ?soul alive and the mind clear. If your body is alive but your soul is dead, words of reason will not reach you, and you will be incapable of earning your living by honest work?, these are words of our immortal Abai. Thirdly, the scholar, Dr. G. Yesim gives us a hand in understanding some ?quasi? inconsistency in Abai?s statements. ?Abai ever ?develops his thoughts each time he writes, delves deep into various details and throws the solution of the matter back onto the reader. He puts questions to the reader. Abai never attempted to give ready answers to all life?s phenomena.? With his comments on 45 Words, Dr. G. Yesim makes us convinced of the excellence and enduring value of Abai?s philosophical reflections. What is also of great importance is that reading Abai?s Words with Dr. Garifolla Yesim helps us comprehend that Abai is a value of both Kazakh and whole Turkic speaking, Muslim world. Through his comments, the scholar leads us to understanding that Abai is a synthesizing personality, he mourns when mankind is divided into parts. He reiterated: you ought to love mankind, no matter what. ?Love all humanity, calling them your brothers and sisters?. Man is a crown of God's creation, and therefore worthy of love. If there is no love to the Creator, to his creation - man and justice in our hearts, then even five- time prayers will not help us. Nowadays peoples of Kazakhstan have right to freedom of speech and religion. An independent nation of Kazakhstan is free to go to mosques, churches, synagogues ..., make prayers. And, of course, we, the descendants of Abai, try to understand this great thinker?s religious outlook. Dr. Garifolla Esim explains us Abai?s interpretation of the notion of ?God?. It is very broad. Although people have, for thousand years, come along believing in various religions, all of them have known the one ?Great God?. For that reason, all the various religions are merely ways and means of finding the one ?Great God?. The highest value in life is a sense of God?s wisdom. It is Justice and Love. The scholar Garifolla Esim?s interpreting great Abai, helps us understand that without sense of such qualities, there is no life. Moreover, Dr. Garifolla Esim makes clear for us that the concept of God is taken as a quality, with his wisdom being the precept of humaneness, while the one in the world who senses him explicitly; who is familiar with him and acts on his behalf is a human being. Developing Abai?s idea, philosopher G. Yesim emphasizes that in Abai?s invincible belief the issue is not about the God, but about the nature of a human being. It is not a person?s servanthood to God, but the wisdom of God which has been given to human beings. Abai takes it as the foundation of things. To walk in the way of God means to sense God?s wisdom. For that, the senses necessary for people are Justice and Love. Here, Dr. G. Yesim says, we come across with the primary precepts of humanism or humaneness, i.e. of being human. The scholar underlines that with these thoughts; Abai transcended the bounds of one religion, of one religious worldview and entered upon the system of thought which is fit for humanity. Abai?s Book of Words is passionately penetrated with the thoughts about the future of Kazakh people. He strongly believed that the future of Kazakhs was in education. ?We ought to educate ourselves, learn what other people know so as to become their equals and be a shield and a pillar for our people?, Abai urges his countrymen. Dr. G. Yesim helps us understand Abai?s perception of learning. First, you should value knowledge as the supreme blessing in life. Then each new truth you uncover will bring peace and satisfaction to your soul. You should love learning for its own sake and strive for it. Second, study with clear and noble aims? Third, Abai calls on learners to value the knowledge you obtained, to learn from others what you do not know. The philosopher warns to be aware of evils such as careless sloth or idleness. Abai also pays attention to the development of character because human character is a vessel containing knowledge and intelligence. In conclusion, I would like to say that Dr.Garifolla Esim?s book ?An insider?s critique of the Kazakh People and Nation, Reflections on the Writings of Abai Kunanbai ? uhli? is timely and meets the needs of the modern Kazakh society. The author did his best to help us comprehend great philosopher Abai?s thoughts and aspirations that have not lost their relevance today. Abai is known as a hakim that is a scholar of special insight and knowledge and that is why there is much hidden behind his Words. Our challenge as a nation is to find and decipher what is hidden. That would be tantamount to the fact that we find ourselves. Great Abai is our spiritual code, key, using which we can find ourselves, mentally repeat the past and go ahead to the future with Abai?s legacy and his faithful followers, Garifolla Yesim being among them.