Tashkent
Tashkent - Capital of Uzbekistan General information about Tashkent Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and is a metropolis of over 2.5 million people. The city is set out as a grid of straight, wide streets and avenues, interspersed with many green areas (parks, squares, and gardens) and fountains. This marvelous city embodies the modern elegance of many other capitals of the world; at the same time, as an eastern city, Tashkent has its own unique flavour. It tastefully combines medieval buildings that look like they're from the pages of ancient oriental tales, with elegant European architecture from the time of the Turkestan governorship, concrete 'blocks' from the Soviet era and, finally, sparkling high-rise commercial buildings made of glass and concrete that represent a new era of independent Uzbekistan. Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Picture
Amir Temur Museum More pictures of Tashkent, Uzbekistan History of Tashkent Tashkent is one of the oldest cities on the Great Silk Road between China and Europe. The earliest references to Tashkent as a city settlement appeared in written sources in the 2nd century BC. In the Chinese annals the city is called Yueni or Shi; in the records of the Persian king, Shampur, it appears as Chach; and in other Arabic sources, Shash. The name Tashkent first appeared in Turkish documents of the 9th to 12th centuries. From ancient times, a favourable geographical position and mild climate made Tashkent one of the main Silk Road cities. In the 14-15th centuries it was the part of the Timurid Empire, and in the 16th century it was under the control of the Sheibanids dynasty. In 1865, after the conquest of Mikhail Chernyaev, Russian military leader, the city became under the rule of the Russian Empire and Russian government was established here. In 1930 Tashkent was declared the capital of Uzbekistan, former Uzbek SSR. Tashkent
What to do in Tashkent Tashkent sights Many of Tashkent's tourist sights are concentrated in the Old City, which is one of the few districts that has preserved its traditional culture in the rapidly-changing metropolis. The spirit of old Tashkent lives here, in the cozy courtyards of the hospitable mahallahs, the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, and the blue domes of the Khast Imam complex. In this part of the city there are artisans, teahouses, and bakeries. Other Tashkent sights worth visiting include the Tashkent TV Tower, the German Church, the Polish Church, Amir Temur Square with the famous Tashkent astronomical clock, Independence Square, and the former residence of Prince Romanov, which was designed by architects
Prepeared by Imam Bukhari Tashkent Islamic Institute , Department of languages , English teacher Kadirov Farrukh
Artificial Intelligence: Between Technical Evolution and Shari’a Responsibility A Contemporary Islamic Vision
The world is currently witnessing rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, to the extent that these tools have become integral to various aspects of life—particularly in economics, education, culture, media, and public services.
In the face of this profound transformation, there is an urgent need to examine the dimensions of AI from an ethical and religious perspective that balances leveraging modern achievements with preserving human values and Shari’a (Islamic law) regulations.
In this context, scholars and specialists affirm that AI is a product of human intellect and creativity, falling under the divine indication: "And He creates that which you do not know" (Surah An-Nahl: 8). This verse alludes to emerging scientific and technical innovations that were previously unknown.
Today, AI has become the foundation for many modern applications, such as e-government, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, drones, and other technologies that contribute to facilitating human life.
However, regardless of its significant benefits, this evolution is not without difficulties and potential risks. Therefore, there is a necessity to regulate, control, and monitor the use of AI, taking the required measures to mitigate its negative impacts—especially in sensitive fields related to religion and Fatwa (legal rulings), where this issue must be given special attention.
Artificial Intelligence and Shari’a Fatwa
Scholars and researchers in jurisprudence academies and scientific conferences have reached a consensus that AI can serve as a supportive tool for gathering, analyzing, and classifying Shari’a information, as well as facilitating access to it. However, it is impermissible to rely on it independently to derive Shari’a rulings or issue Fatwas.
Fatwa issuance requires the direct presence of a qualified jurist (faqih), as rulings vary based on the seeker’s circumstances, time, place, customs, and socio-economic conditions. These nuanced human considerations cannot be independently comprehended by AI. Furthermore, a prerequisite for a Mufti in Islamic Shari’a is to be a legally accountable person (mukallaf), a condition that cannot be fulfilled by technical systems.
Consequently, the role of AI in the field of Ifta (issuing rulings) remains supportive rather than substitutive, in application of the verse: "So ask the people of the message if you do not know" (Surah An-Nahl: 43). Trustworthy scholars remain the ultimate reference in issuing rulings and bearing Shari’a responsibility.
Areas of Practical Application for AI
Practical experience, including that of the Fatwa Center under the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, has proven that AI can be employed in several fields, most notably:
• Analyzing and Classifying Inquiries: Categorizing incoming Shari’a questions by topic and region and identifying the most frequent ones.
• Speech-to-Text Conversion: Transforming audio questions and answers into written text and storing them in organized databases.
• Supporting Fatwa Experts: Suggesting previously archived answers to experts, which are only sent to the inquirer after review and approval by specialists.
• Enhancing Community Security: Through smart, digital, and safe city projects.
• Combating Corruption: By reducing human intervention in administrative procedures.
• Operating in Hazardous Environments: Utilizing smart technologies in environments that are dangerous or harmful to human health.
• Dawah and Education: Facilitating access to Islamic knowledge, lessons, and sermons, and developing educational content that serves the Muslim Ummah.
• Humanity at the Center of Technical Evolution
Specialists emphasize that humans must remain at the heart of the AI development process, and that these technologies must be managed based on a solid ethical and value-based foundation. Technology is not an end in itself, but a means to serve humanity and facilitate its affairs; it should not become a substitute for man or a tool that controls his destiny.
In this framework, the real challenge lies in reconciling AI with religious requirements, legal standards, and national values, ensuring the achievement of cognitive and technical development without compromising Shari’a and human responsibility.
In conclusion, AI, if used with wisdom and clear regulations, can be a great aid to humanity across various fields. Religious and scientific institutions in the Islamic world—including the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan—affirm their permanent readiness to actively participate in employing these modern technologies to spread Islamic knowledge, foster dialogue between religion and science, and contribute to finding solutions for contemporary global challenges.
The ultimate goal remains to harness the blessings of science and technology for the betterment of humanity, in a manner that pleases Allah the Almighty and reinforces the moral values that are the foundation of stability and progress.
Sheikh Nuriddin Khaliqnazar