On November 16, Tajikistan celebrates President's Day. On this day in 1994, the elected President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, solemnly took the oath.
This date became an official holiday on April 15, 2016, when by decision of the country’s Parliament it was included in the list of public holidays of the Republic. But it is not a day off.
Emomali Rahmon – is the current president of Tajikistan, in his country he bears the official title – «Founder of peace and national unity – Leader of the nation». His authority among political leaders in the region is very high. He is also popular in his country. Much of his merit is considered to be the establishment of peace in the Republic in the late 1990s, when he came to power in the country, managed to regulate relations with the armed opposition and return about 800 thousand refugees to the Republic.
The celebration of the Day of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, from the point of view of its supporters, takes place not as a celebration of the personality of the head of state, but as one of the public holidays celebrated in many countries: National Flag Day, Independence Day, etc. The establishment of this holiday is intended to emphasize the important role played by the head of state, taking into account the popularity and support he enjoys among the majority of the country's population. His peacekeeping activities were repeatedly recognized with state awards, as well as awards from foreign powers that recognized and appreciated the efforts of the President of Tajikistan to establish and maintain peace in the region.
On November 16, libraries, exhibition halls and educational institutions of the country host thematic events, exhibitions of artists and photographers dedicated to the activities of Emomali Rahmon as head of state. Political figures of Tajikistan meet on this day with officers and privates of the Armed Forces, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country, holding ceremonial and patriotic events. On this day, the streets and squares of cities in Tajikistan are decorated with large portraits of Emomali Rahmon with the inscription «Our President – is our Leader!».