Tashkent, 30 August 2024 (TDI): International academics rallied behind Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s call for “enlightenment against ignorance” and the fight against Islamophobia.
At the eighth annual Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan, held in Tashkent and Samarkand, the scholars appreciated Mirziyoyev’s vision.
The congress, drew participants from 35 countries, including leading figures from the International Organization of Turkic Culture, the Muslim World Islamic League, the Al-Furqan Foundation, and the International Turkic Academy.
It underscored the importance of education about Islam as central to Uzbekistan’s upcoming heritage initiatives.
In a unified declaration, the scholars stated: “On behalf of more than 300 participants from 35 countries, we firmly believe that preserving and studying cultural legacies is crucial for the sustainable development and prosperity of not just Uzbekistan but the global community at large.”
Congress Approves Projects
The Congress also approved 150 new WOSCU projects aimed at highlighting the significant contributions of Oriental scholars to world civilization.
Participants lauded Uzbekistan’s investments in the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Imam al Bukhari Spiritual Center near Samarkand.
In a letter to President Mirziyoyev, the scholars expressed strong support for his initiatives. “We fully endorse your efforts and are committed to actively participating in major projects to preserve Uzbekistan’s cultural legacy for global civilization,” the letter read.
The scholars also commended Mirziyoyev’s commitment to a humane interpretation of Islam, as articulated in his UN address, and his focus on spiritual enrichment.
The Declaration, adopted during the plenary session of the congress, highlighted: “We recognize the significance of President Mirziyoyev’s initiative to establish the Center of Islamic Civilization”.
“This cultural and humanistic mega-project will significantly advance research on the contributions of Eastern scholars and thinkers to global science and civilization, including Islamic contributions”, the declaration added.
