Address by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the festive ceremony dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of the City of Marghilan

Assalamu-Alaykum, dear compatriots!
Distinguished guests!

Today, o­n this auspicious day we have gathered with you, my dears, o­n this sacred land o­n the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of the ancient and ever young City of Marghilan.

I am happy from the bottom of my heart to congratulate all of you, first of all, the experienced, generous and pure-hearted people of Marghilan, the people of Ferghana Valley, and our entire nation o­n this blessed holiday.

Allow me to sincerely welcome our distinguished foreign guests, who are taking part at this festive ceremony, and o­n behalf of you and our people express them the heartfelt wishes.

Distinguished friends, brothers!

This is a truly happy and unforgettable historical day for all of us. Since, we are outflawing with the feeling of pride for the fact that Marghilan has been included to the list of masterpieces of the world cultural heritage. This is a bright manifestation of recognition o­n the part of UNESCO and international community of a profound contribution of the city to the world culture and civilization, careful and respectful attitude to the invaluable heritage of our great ancestors, who lived o­n this soil, to the unique historical monuments and holy sites of worship.

Indeed, this city which emerged along the banks of Marghilonsoy twenty centuries ago and was o­ne of the earliest human settlements in the territory of our country testifies to the fact that in our area the settled life, advanced culture of farming and irrigation was established and developed in the ancient times.

The fact that the land of ancient Marghilan was broadly famous for its unique handicraft goods in such countries as Egypt and Greece, Syria and Byzantium, Iran and India, China also confirms this.

It is natural that there are similar features of Marghilan with other ancient cities, however this city is distinguished by many of its peculiar virtues.

The scientific sources and archeological excavations testify that Marghilan has an extremely unique peculiarity. The fact that two thousand years ago our ancestors took roots in this very place and laid the foundation of the city, and despite that so much time has passed it has consistently developed in its own historical area till nowadays astonishes any o­ne.

Certainly, it will take the extensive research and discoveries to identify the secret and reasons of this phenomenon.

Having emerged B.C. the Great Silk Road used to cross numerous areas and towns and covered the vast territories from China to Spain. When speaking about this, we should note that the most of these cities are now left o­nly o­n the ancient maps.

But I think that o­ne can hardly find such cities as Marghilan which continue to preserve the influence and historical roots of the Great Silk Road, and if o­ne may say so, its breath.

Especially, this is also proved by the facts that this beautiful land remains to be the center of royal adras and silk products which still enchants the entire world and the skilled masters of such extremely fine crafts reach their perfection in this very place.

At the moment, a particular trace left by the City of Marghilan in terms of development of our national statehood is now being revealed by numerous scientific evidences.

The examples of existence here in the ancient times of solid castles and palaces, defense facilities, and a tall minaret, which was seen more than 50 kilometers away and establishment of coinage stand as a confirmation of the aforesaid.

When we speak about Marghilan, the words of our great ancestor Bobur Mirzo without any doubt also reflect the truth of today. He used to say that the people with strong feasts, meaning the mightiest people, originate from the land of Marghilan.

It is clear as day that like all other ancient cities Marghilan had also lived through different trials and storms for over the span of centuries.

But thanks to its brave sons and their capability in any circumstances to defend their land from any evil forces, their devotion and commitment, the city of Marghilan for already two thousand years has been living safe and sound maintaining its identity and looking at its past with respect and esteem.

I think it is especially worth noting Marghilan’s great contribution into the development of our sacred Islamic religion, and the Muslim rules and traditions.

The restoration and complete refurbishment of the Pursiddiq Complex, Ulugmozor Sanctuary, Uvaisiy Mausoleum, Khoja Said Ahmad Madrassah and some other monuments of architecture, which embody the historical look of the city have become another practical step in preserving our invaluable spiritual heritage.

The divine spirit of this land is also confirmed by the fact that the outstanding persons, who were born and worked in the sacred land of Marghilan, have left immortal masterpieces, in which the power of national spirit and thought are reflected.

I believe that you will agree with an idea that such incomparable thinkers and holy men are born solely o­n the land blessed by God.

When we speak about Marghilan we respectfully mention the name of our eminent ancestor Burkhaniddin Marghinoniy, who is the pride of not o­nly Uzbekistan, but also the whole Islamic world.

The unique heritage of this thinker, who earned the highest title of “The leader of the true path” among the Muslim community, his exemplary life, and spiritual feat for nine centuries still preserve the lasting value and importance.

It should be noted that since the recent years the names and invaluable merits of his many contemporaries and followers became known. They all lived and created o­n the generous soil of Marghilan to develop science, enlightenment and religion.

It is necessary to continue the activity o­n the deep study and promotion of the life and works of Hasan Marghinoniy, Zakhiriddin Marghinoniy, and Muhammad Marghinoniy and other thinkers who made a great contribution to the development of Islamic law and philosophy.

Alongside with outstanding personalities in our history a special place is taken by incomparable works of the well-known poetess Jahon otin–Uvaisiy, who praised the beauty of women’s soul, the feelings of pure love, devotion and faithfulness.

Most importantly, this invaluable heritage even today helps to promote spirituality and bring up our young generation with a strong will, firm faith and convictions.

I believe that everything we have accomplished to improve the mausoleums of our outstanding ancestors, giving tribute to their bright memory, render ourselves spiritual support and power.

Dear friends!

We can talk much about specific peculiarities and best features of Marghilan. Certainly, it is the people of Marghilan, who for over thousand years have preserved their identity, peculiar beauty, and turned their city into o­ne of the beautiful cities, deserve a special admiration.

The citizens of Marghilan, who are distinguished by their benevolence, politeness, hospitality, and modesty, rightly have earned respect of all our nation.

Every time when I meet with the respected elderly people of Marghilan, whose faces shine with brightness and kindness, I want to take pleasure in a long and heartily conversation with them.

Without any doubt, the women of Marghilan, our benevolent and modest sisters, well-known by their diligence, skilled seamstress, who inherited the secrets and mastery of handicrafts from their mothers and at the same time possess modern knowledge and professions, deserve the highest appraisal, love and respect.

I am confident that anyone who has o­nce visited Marghilan will preserve for a long time in his heart the warm images of these faithful and open-hearted people.

We are all well aware that o­n the occasion of the glorious anniversary of the city we have set forward the objective to further improve the living conditions of the citizens, and guided by this, we have accomplished a profound noble activity. We have built new houses, markets and shops, modern enterprises. We have continued building the new roads, gas and water networks. We have established the new communication networks, improved medical, transport, cultural and utility services.

It is worth noting that creation of all necessary conditions for the sake of our children, who were born and will live in Marghilan, and will faithfully serve their native city, for their harmonious upgrading, is a principal objective, and defines the essence of the complex and large-scale works carried out o­n the occasion of this commemoration.

We are happy that during the short period of time the modern schools and a new medical college, the Youth Avenue, Aqua Park, the water sporting palace, and the amphitheater have been built in the city. We have carried out a complete refurbishment of the Children’s art center, many schools, kindergartens, and seven polyclinics. We have equipped the city maternity hospital with the latest medical equipment, and have accomplished a lot of other works.

Speaking about the scale of the accomplished deeds, I think it would be sufficient to draw upon o­nly o­ne fact. We have spent about 30 billion sums for the construction, refurbishment, restoration and improvement works carried out in the city.

Dear friends!

When we say Marghilan, we unwillingly visualize the images of the great artists, who play an enormous role in the history of Uzbek culture.

Our nation always pronounces with admiration the names of the greatest celebrities of the national arts, who grew up o­n this land, such as Yusufjon qiziq Shakarjonov and Usta Olim Komilov, Mukhiddin Koriyakubov, Tamarakhonim and Gavkharkhonim, Mamurjon Uzokov and Jurakhon Sultonov, Saodat Kobulova and Berta Davidova. Each of them is famous for creation of their artistic school.

We are not mistaken to say that it is not accidental, but rather natural that such a great artists have originated from the very Marghilan – the spiritual abode of people, who cherish the life and beauty, deeply understand the literature and arts, and highly honor the talent and aptitude.

The classic of our literature Abdulla Kodiriy in his novel “Otkan kunlar” (‘The bygone days’) depicted the image of gorgeous and intelligent Kumush, whose prototype was taken from the real life. This is the very reason why even after so many years our nation associates the City of Marghilan with her immortal image.

All this is yet another evidence of a rich and high spiritual world of the citizens of the city, who nurture and preserve like an apple of an eye the true humane virtues and our national values.

Availing myself of this opportunity, from the bottom of my heart I express my sincere gratitude to the prestigious international institution UNESCO, all our devoted friends from near and far countries, and all people, who have duly contributed to the preparation and commemoration of this jubilee.

I sincerely thank the constructors and engineers, who have diligently worked and contributed to such noble cause of profoundly changing the face of the City of Marghilan, building the new roads, beautiful squares and avenues, comfortable residential areas, as well as culture and service facilities.

Dear compatriots!

Today, as we speak about our efforts, deeds and accomplishments dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Marghilan, we should note that holding this celebration along with jubilees of such ancient cities as Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara, Karshi and Termez, Shakhrisabz we accept as a striking evidence and proof of how rich and glorious the history of our country is, and how sacred is every inch of our blossoming land.

If we fairly approach this issue, yet there are many cities and historic sites in our country that deserve such high glory and honor.

We will have to work much to glorify and broadly celebrate the jubilees of such cities of the Ferghana Valley, which take an important place in our history, as Kokand, Andijan, Namangan, Akhsikent and others.

Inshallah, in the future we will together prepare and broadly celebrate these festivities.

At these exciting moments, which arouse the feeling of joy and thankfulness to the destiny, which fill the hearts with pride, expressing my sincere respect I wish all of you and your families happiness and prosperity, as well as the new successes in labor and in your life.

Let the glory of the City of Marghilan and Uzbekistan ever grow!

May Allah bless us in all our noble deeds!