Oleg Ivanovich was born on July 19, 1962, in the cozy village of Bina, near ancient Baku, where the air was filled with the scent of the sea and hope. From childhood, he absorbed the strength of his homeland's spirit, and in 1979, after graduating from Secondary School No. 32, he stepped into a world of possibilities. In 1983, he completed his training at the Baku Higher Combined Arms Command School named after the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR, becoming a lieutenant — a young, idealistic soldier ready to devote himself to defending his homeland.

His military service was marked by courage and trials. Sent to Kazakhstan, to the Central Asian Military District of the USSR, Oleg became a platoon commander in a motorized rifle regiment on the outskirts of Alma-Ata. But real difficulties lay ahead. In March 1986, he was sent to Afghanistan, to a zone of relentless fighting, where he joined the airborne assault battalion of the 66th separate motorized rifle brigade near Jalalabad. There, in the dust and fire of the provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman, he commanded a company, risking his life for peace and his comrades. Those years—from 1986 to 1988—became a school of heroism for him, where every day was a struggle for survival. For his courage, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star, a symbol of selfless service. We remember him as a warrior whose heart beat in unison with the fate of his homeland, and whose wounds became scars on his soul.

In 1989, after leaving the army, Oleg Ivanovich began a new chapter in his life—one full of light and spiritual quest. He officially converted to Islam, as if returning to the origins of his soul, and began to study the sacred canons under the guidance of the wise Muhammad Hussain-Haji Alsabekov, former deputy mufti of Kazakhstan. This period became a rebirth for him: from a warrior, he became a preacher, taking the name Ali Apsheroni, and devoted himself to spreading peace and faith.

In 1992, fulfilling his sacred duty, he made the hajj to Mecca — a pilgrimage that filled his heart with even more light. Upon his return, Ali founded the Islamic religious and educational society Al-Madina and became its spiritual mentor, creating a space where people could find comfort and wisdom. He traveled to many countries around the world on peace missions, sowing the seeds of understanding and harmony, like a traveler carrying the flame of hope in dark times.

Ali-Haji was a devout Sunni traditionalist of the Hanafi madhhab, whose views were imbued with respect for tradition and religious tolerance. In October 1997, at a round table in Almaty, where more than 40 spiritual leaders from the CIS countries gathered, he was elected chairman of the Eurasian Interfaith Peace Center. This mission became the pinnacle of his life: he was entrusted with interfaith diplomacy, helping to resolve conflicts and bring hearts together. He also headed the Almaty organization of veterans of the war in Afghanistan, supporting those who, like him, had survived the storms of war.

Until the early 2000s, Ali Apsheroni shared his wisdom weekly on Kazakh television and radio, his sermons enveloping listeners with warmth, reminding them of the power of faith and mercy. He was a bridge between worlds, a man whose life was a lesson in fortitude, love, and reconciliation.

Ali-Haji ibn Usman al-Apsheroni ended his earthly journey on June 30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Today, as we remember Ali Apsheroni, we feel gratitude for his bright soul. He is gone, but he left us a legacy of peace, faith, and hope. May his path inspire us to do good deeds, and may the memory of him live on in our hearts forever.