On May 12, 2018 Chinese delegation headed by Hasan Yang Fa Ming, Chairman of Islamic Union of China visited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan. The guests were received by Sheikh Abdulaziz Mansur, Deputy Chairman of Muslim Board of Uzbekistan who opened the meeting with introductory speech about positive development in the religious sphere in our country.
In its turn Mr. Hasan Yang Fa Ming noted that there were more than 50 different nationalities living in China, among 30 million Muslims in China there were Uzbek, Uyghur, Huey, Kazak, Tatar, Tajik, Dunsyan, Salar, Boan and other nationalities. Almost half of Chinese live in Sinzhan-Uygur autonomous region. There are 30 thousand mosques and 10 Islamic educational establishments. Chinese government pays equal attention to all religious representations and their activity is coordinated by the Committee for religious affairs. Islamic religious organizations are run by Chinese Islamic Association. This organization has more than 70 employees. Fetwas (religious relics) are based on Hanafi mazkhab with Moturidi creed. 99% of Chinese Muslims follow Hanafi mazkhab. Mr. Hasan Yang also mentioned that Chinese Muslims were pleased to see Uzbek delegation in the International Islamic Symposium held in Urumchi in 2016. The Chairman of Islamic Union of China expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, showed his readiness for partnership and cordially invited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan to visit China.
Nuriymon Abulhasan, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the Religious Affairs and Firdavs Halilov, Deputy Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization also made informative speeches about the scope of activities carried out in the religious sphere.
The sides exchanged with gifts.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.
The Sri Lankan online publication Colombo Times has published an analytical article titled “Uzbekistan’s New Renaissance: Reviving a Golden Past with the Tools of Tomorrow”, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication, prepared by renowned Sri Lankan journalist Fazan Nawaz, focuses on the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan over the past decade under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at building the New Uzbekistan and implementing the idea of the Third Renaissance, as well as their significant outcomes.
“At the very heart of Central Asia, a quiet yet far-reaching revolution in its significance is taking place. This struggle is being waged not with weapons, but through manuscripts, museums and microchips. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is seeking to revive the glory of the medieval “Golden Age”, when such cities as Samarkand and Bukhara were leading centers of global science, poetry, and philosophy, author writes. - The distinctive feature of this process lies in the fact that Uzbekistan is actively using artificial intelligence and digital technologies to preserve, restore, and promote cultural heritage spanning more than a thousand years of history”.
Publication also highlights Uzbekistan’s rich cultural and historical heritage and the reforms being implemented to preserve it. It notes that this land has been the cradle of many outstanding scholars and thinkers throughout human history.
“Leader of Uzbekistan frequently refers to this historical heritage, emphasizing that Mirzo Ulugbek was not only a great scholar but also a statesman for whom science was the highest value. The current process of renewal is referred to by the Head of State as the ‘Third Renaissance’, viewing it as a nationwide project aimed at restoring Uzbekistan’s role as a center of science, education, and culture. According to historians, this term denotes a new stage of revival following two great periods of flourishing that had previously existed in the region”, article notes.
Article emphasizes that an important feature of Uzbekistan’s approach, distinguishing it from other countries, is the use of artificial intelligence not only as a tool for economic development but also as a means of protecting cultural heritage.
Fazan Nawaz concludes his article by stating that only time will show whether the “Third Renaissance” will be able to fully achieve its objectives. However, it is already clear today which path Uzbekistan is pursuing.