To the participants of the international scientific and practical conference “Uzbekistan’s contribution to the development of Islamic civilization”

Dear guests!
Distinguished participants of the conference!

Above all, I am happy to sincerely welcome you from the bottom of my heart on the sacred soil of Uzbekistan, in the ancient and noble city of Tashkent, which has been named as “the capital of Islamic culture”.

We would tell the very truth, if we say that arrival of the famous guests from all over the respected Muslim world, i.e. the renowned scholars, scientists of religion and experts, prominent statesmen, religious and public figures in our capital city named as the “Gate of the East” on the occasion of today’s conference, is a big historical event in the spiritual life of not only the people of Uzbekistan, but also the broad public of our entire region.
You know well that the territory of modern Uzbekistan for over the span of centuries has served as a bridge which linked the East and West through the Great Silk Road. On this basis our ancient soil has been attaining fame as the important crossroads of the various mutually interlaced civilizations and cultures, as an area, which had incomparably contributed to the development of mankind.

One may vividly see in much and many examples that starting yet from the seventh and eighth centuries our dear Homeland left an indelible trace in the development of an entire Muslim world, establishment of the foundations of the sacred Islamic theology and philosophy.
The life and activities of our holy saints, who were born and matured on the soil of ancient Movarounnakhr, had attained a profound fame in Islamic world thanks to their scientific courage and great discoveries. The names of Imam Bukhariy and Imam Termiziy, Imam Moturidiy and Makhmud Zamakhshariy, Burkhaniddin Marghinoniy and Bakhouddin Nakshband, Khoja Akhror Waliy, our scholars and scientists such as Muhammad Khorazmiy and Akhmad Farghoniy, Abu Raikhon Beruniy and Abu Ali ibn Sino, Mirzo Ulughbek and Alisher Navoiy are closely interlaced with Islamic culture and civilization to such an extent that we can never imagine our religion without those great persons, and the names of those great persons – without the religion of Islam.

We are not mistaken to say that the role and significance of the rich and invaluable heritage of our great ancestors, (which incorporated broad encyclopedic knowledge, ideas and views, and by now did not lose both its scientific and humane value) is unique in finding the solution for many contemporary complex problems, objectively interpret and propagate the true meaning and essence of our religion, as well as beaconing the right path for the young generation that now joins our ranks with a profound hope.
We highly value our religion and Islamic civilization as an inseparable part of the world civilization, human development and culture. It is also the main factor and criterion in spiritually purifying the people and strengthening the eternal values such as the gratitude, living in peace and tranquility, interethnic and interfaith tolerance, mutual respect, solidarity in their minds.

Basing upon such foundation, and most importantly, by apprehending of what great people the descendants we are and what a unique heritage we are the masters of, it is our noble goal to build our free, sovereign and prosperous future, build a life second to none’s, and secure the deserved place in the Muslim world and international community.
From this point of view, in strengthening our national statehood and national values, defining the development program, long-term and sustainable goals of Uzbekistan we have set it our priority objective that alongside with upgrading the material and spiritual world of our people, especially, urging our young generation to thoroughly learn the immortal heritage of our forefathers, we have to bring it up in the spirit of universal values and grasping the latest science and knowledge. Since, only if our sons and daughters, who will follow our footsteps tomorrow, were matured in such a nurtured atmosphere, they would grow up as perfect persons, turn into our real buttress and support, invincible spiritual power, stand ready to any trials in the world arenas.

With such dreams and aspirations since the early days of Independence we have been securing victories and results on preserving our ancient customs and traditions like an apple of an eye, glorifying the memories of our great ancestors, improving and bettering their sacred sites. All these accomplishments deserve admiration of international community.
The enormous deeds we have accomplished and still have been accomplishing in this direction are aimed at, firstly, realizing our selves, our historical roots, as well as preserving and safeguarding our faith and honor. On this basis it is our duty to deliver the truthfulness and purity, the humanness and tolerance of Islamic religion, its constant appeal to goodness and nobility, and in short, its educational significance not only to our nation, but also to entire world community.

In this regard, above all, we ourselves are gaining the divine power and spiritual strength by improvement of many famous historical complexes related to the names of Imam Bukhariy and Imam Termiziy, Shokhi Zinda, Registan and Bibikhonim, Imam Moturidiy and Bakhauddin Nakshband, Akhmad Farghoniy and Burkhaniddin Marghinoniy, Khoja Akhror Waliy, Khazrati Imam and other great personalities.

Inshallah, such good and noble deeds, which are being accomplished on the call of our people’s souls, undoubtedly, will be continued.

I think during the conference while visiting the renovated and reconstructed historical monuments and newly built mosques and madrassah in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand, having a frank conversation and dialog with our fellow countrymen, the distinguished guests will be able to witness what a big contribution our people and nation have been still making to the development of Islamic culture.

In this context, I believe that this conference will create a favorable opportunity to eyewitness the changes in our ancient and beautiful Homeland, as well as closely learn our country and the life of our hospitable people.

I would like to congratulate you again on the opening of this conference and wish you all a good health, happiness as well as successful work of the conference.

Islam Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan