Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi

Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi (Modern Uzbek : Hamza Hakimzoda Niyoziy, ; Russian : ) (March 6   [ O.S. February 22]  1889, Kokand – March 18, 1929, Shohimardon ) was a Soviet and Uzbek author, composer, playwright, poet, and political activist. Niyazi, along with Gafur Gulom, is widely seen as one of the leading figures in the early development of the modern literary tradition of Uzbekistan. He received a National Writer of the Uzbek SSR award on February 27, 1926. Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi was stoned to death in the town of Shohimardon by Islamic fundamentalists for his anti-religious activities.