Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara are famous all over the world as pearls of Islamic culture

International conference on "Uzbekistan's contribution to the development of Islamic civilization" will be held in Tashkent and Samarkand on 14-15 August. On this occasion experts and scholars from different countries of the world shared their views on the subject.

Halit Eren, Director-General of the Center of Analysis of Islamic history, art and culture, the Organization of Islamic Conference:

Uzbekistan, as a country that have had an essential role in many development processes of and made a great contribution to the formation of Islamic culture in four continents, requires special attention

During the process of the spreading of Islam, since early centuries, the cities of Transoxiana (Ma Wara'un-Nahr) and especially Bukhara was the center of gathering and keeping of Islamic manuscripts. These books (manuscripts) were brought from this land to Europe by trade routes. From IX-X centuries on science began developing with fast pace in this territory. Known as “Alfraghanus” in Europe, a scholar named al-Farghani was born in modern city of Ferghana and lived in IX century. He wrote “Elements” on astronomy, which was translated into Latin and studied with great interest in European countries of XII-XIII centuries.

Another famous scholar of this region, Abu Ali Ibn Sino, lived in Bukhara in XI-XII centuries and was famous in European countries as Avicenna. His greatest contribution to the development of science was his work “Al-Konun fi-tib” or “The laws of Medicine”. In this work, Avicenna was able to combine the knowledge that was available in medical science of his time.

Avicenna’s book - “Kitab al Shifa”, consists of information on all disciplines beginning with philosophy and includes not only theoretical knowledge i.e. physics, mathematics and metaphysics, but also some practical knowledge on ethics, economics and politics. At the same time he was also considered an astrologist, physician and encyclopedic scholar.
A well-known scholar and philosopher of VIII century Abu Nasr al Farabi was educated in Bukhara. He tried to make a synthesis of psychology with the works of such scholars as Plato and Aristotle. As a result of his scientific research he made a big contribution to the development of science and became famous all over the world as “the second mentor” after Aristotle.

Throughout its history Uzbekistan has been a center of culture and science and played the role of a bridge in the spreading of knowledge. All this resulted in the wide recognition of modern Uzbekistan, which possesses a unique cultural and architectural heritage, by the international community. Its cities are included in the list of the cities that are considered as global heritage. Many books and manuscripts edited in this region are considered of high value and are being kept as distinctive works.

Saleh Hashem, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Universities:

For centuries the territory of modern Uzbekistan has been regarded as a crossroad of different cultures and civilizations. The territory of Uzbekistan has been a center linking West and East for a long period of time.

Famous scholars of Islam lived and worked in the territory of olden Tashkent. One can point out among them such names as Khaffol Shoshi – he made a huge contribution to the Hadith and the Kalam (research on Koran), Khoja Akhror Vali and Khoja Zayniddin - founders of a Sufi movement and some others. The greatness of this city can be proven by the fact that Usman’s Koran, written off in the VII century, is being kept there.

Bukhara is one of the well-known cities of the Muslim world. A great scholar Imam al Bukhari was born there. His work “Jami as-sahih” made a big contribution to the development of the Islamic civilization.

Scientists of Transoxiana, creating a unique cultural and scientific bridge between Central Asian countries and the Arab world, played a unique role in the development of the Muslim civilization and created a strong foundation for stable interstate relations that was suitable for the interests of all nations living in this region.

The Islamic World highly regards the preservation and development of a cultural and historical legacy and the efforts aimed to celebrate the birthdays of our great ancestors by the leadership of Uzbekistan.

Dr. Ahmad Manzoor, Rector of Islamabad International Islamic University:
Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara are famous all over the world as pearls of Islamic culture. The scholars of the Islamic world have recognized these cities as the centers of science since ancient times and enhanced their knowledge with the help of their great mentors from Transoxiana (Ma Wara'un-Nahr). The Islamic world owes much to the Central Asian countries, and especially to Uzbekistan, which has managed to keep and develop Islamic tenets, contributed a great deal to the spread of Islam around the world.
Today, when there is much debate over the clash of civilizations, like other Islamic states, Uzbekistan could also, on the basis of its rich experience, propose the appropriate way that is not based on eastern or western radicalism but reflects faith and secularity.

Akber Ozgen, President of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan cultural society:

Today the capital of Uzbekistan – wonderful Tashkent proudly bears a title – the capital of Islamic culture in 2007. I have pleasure to realize the fact that how Islam used to be and still remains the basis of moral and spiritual outlook of the Uzbeks. Indeed, the Islamic religion helped that the Central Asia preserved its spiritual uniqueness, remaining to be the major cultural and shopping centre throughout centuries.

The first period of prosperity of Maverannahr coincided with the time of Abbasids khalifat in VIII-IX centuries. At that time Bukhara became the leading centre of education, science, culture and art of the Muslim world. In the sense of its magnificence this city ranked with such cities, as Bagdad, Cairo, Cordoba. The great encyclopedic scientists, religious statesmen of the Islamic world were born, lived and did creations in Bukhara.

The second "golden age" of Maverannahr coincided with the time of governing by Amir Temur – outstanding commander and statesman who was able to create one of the most powerful empires of the middle period. The names of Amir Temur and its descendants are reflected on socio-political, cultural and economic development of medieval Maverannahr.

Amir Temur who defined Samarkand as the capital gathered in his state the most skilful masters, architects, the best scientists and poets, rendering his support in every possible way. Amir Temur’s grandson Mirzo Ulugbek was the greatest astronomer of that period. Indeed, during time of temurids Turkic became the literary language in Turkestan. Outstanding Alisher Navoi did his works in this language, proving that by its beauty and richness it can compete with others.

Having got independence of Uzbekistan – passing only sixteen years – hundreds of mosques and religious schools – medresa were constructed and restored in the country. And the most pleasant thing is that along with Moslem communities the other religions confessions peacefully co-exist in Uzbekistan.

Ilza Lauda-Sirtautas, professor, Washington University (Seattle):

«The Uzbek people are famous for their magnanimity and tolerance, and the Uzbek soil for the richest cultural heritage». These lines were written by the American scientist Edward Allworth in 1989. He is not the only foreigner who admired “the magic reference of Uzbeks” during a short stay in Uzbekistan. Uzbeks can call it «Uzbekchilik» (“Uzbekity”). These words include not only customs, but also the norms and standards of behavior among Uzbeks. It is important to know, that these norms are based on century wisdoms, which allowed keeping national and spiritual identity of the people, despite notorious «national policy» of CPSU.

Muratali aji Jumanov, Mufti of Kyrgyzstan Muslims:

The territory of Uzbekistan is considered as one of the ancient cradles of civilizations. Great scientist-ancestors of Uzbek people had left after themselves priceless masterpieces - theological and scientific works, treatises and works of art. They were included in the number of geniuses of the world forever.

We owe to Maverannahr land, because this land has given the world many great “muxaddis” (“muhaddiths”) (collectors of Hadis’s of the prophet Mohammed), who made great contribution to the rising and development of the humanitarian sciences.
Among them, first of all, we should mention the main collector of Prophet’s Hadis’s, great scientist Abu Abdullah ibn Ismail al-Buhari.

We should also mention the outstanding scientists, such as Al-Xafiz Abu Isa at-Termizi, Al-Hafiz Abu Abdurahman Ahmad ibn Shuayb an-Nasai.

Great encyclopedic scientists, poets and statesmen of Maverannahr – Abu Nasr al-Farabi, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Alisher Navoi, Mirza Ulugbek, аl-Xarezmi, аz-Zamaxshari and others made incentives to the development of philosophy, psychology, sociology, ethics, economy, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, geography, philology, a history.
Scientists of the Muslim world unanimously support the opinion that religious and scientific works of Maverannahr’s theologians and scientists, which were created in VII-XII centuries, are serving as the main sources for Muslims of the entire world to this day.
In this land the books with religious values were highly appreciated at all times. In ancient times these kind of books carried information about religion, theology and history, which was of great importance to society.

These treasures of spiritual culture were very appreciated, that books were kept together with gold, silver and jewels.

The careful attitude to the invaluable manuscripts, created during ancient times by great scientists, thinkers, poets, historians, who lived in territory of present Uzbekistan shows our deep respect to their contribution to development of a world civilization and reflects our aspiration to spiritual enrichment. As it is said in the Sacred Koran: «He grants wisdom to whom He wants. Who has wisdom He blesses too, but only wise men can realize this».

Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pasha-Zade, Chairman of Muslims Department of Caucasus:

Today independent Uzbekistan headed by outstanding political leader - President Islam Karimov, demonstrates fine example of magnificent prospects opened before the country that promptly develops and at the same time carefully preserves richest spiritual heritage.
I speak about it with pride because I consider this blessed ground as my second fatherland. I am happy that exactly here lived and created great Muslim scientists and thinkers Ismail al-Bukhari, at-Termizi, al-Khorezmi, al-Farabi, al-Beruni, Avicenna. I comprehended Islamic sciences, have received high religious education. Under the recommendation of my great master Ziyouddinkhan Ibn Ishan Babakhan I have been chosen 27 years ago as Chairman of Muslims Department of Caucasus.

The contribution of Uzbekistan to history of the Islamic civilization, formation and development of Muslim culture is so great that any, even the most representative conference could not reveal it in all wholeness.
Islam came to present territory of Uzbekistan with will of the Allah in second half of VII century. New religion has met here not cultural backward region, but on the contrary - one of most ancient centers of world culture. Islam has ability to extend its ideology quickly and become promptly consolidated in this territory only with continuity of cultures.
Through cultural synthesis Maverannahr has brought the incomparable contribution to treasury of Muslim culture in areas of science, poetry, architecture, public and political thoughts. The first significant name both in Mathematics and Astronomy was the name - al-Khorezmi that is known to the European scientists as Algorithmus. From his name became the term "Algorithm".

Today Uzbeks have the full right to be proud that their soil has given the world outstanding scientists and theologians such as Abu Rayhon al-Beruni, Said Sharif Dzhurdzhani, Muhammad Ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, Abu Ali Ibn Sino (Avicenna) and others. The brilliant representative of medieval Central Asian science Avicenna has been recognized not only in the Muslim East, but also in Europe as greatest philosopher and outstanding physician that nicknamed by the coreligionists as «Emir of all sciences».

Hu Zhenhua, professor of the China National University:

Uzbekistan made a big contribution to the wide dissemination and development of Islamic culture by its ancient history and rich cultural traditions. It is well-known that Bukhara, Samarkand, Khorezm, Tashkent and other historical cities situated on Uzbek land played an important role for development of Islam civilization in Central Asia. As of development of Islamic culture Uzbekistan is much advanced than other countries of Central Asia. Indeed, this is acknowledged not only in Asia but also in the entire world.

Uzbekistan’s soil brought up scientists who contributed to flourishing of Islamic culture and preserving humankind heritage by creative activity. In China, scientists like Abu Raykhan Beruni and Abu Ali Ibn Sino are valued highly by their work to development of science and medicine. “Canons of Medicine” by Abu Ali Ibn Sina was translated into Chinese and has been being widely used for enriching Chinese ancient medicine.