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28 August, 2026   |   15 Rabī‘ al-awwal, 1448
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28 August, 2026, 15 Rabī‘ al-awwal, 1448
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The 14th of January – The Day of Defenders of the Motherland

15.01.2025   107210   6 min.
The 14th of January – The Day of Defenders of the Motherland

What do you know about the 14th of January – the Day of Defenders of the Motherland of Uzbekistan? There are many professions in the world, but being a defender of the motherland is one of the most honorable. It is an honor to protect one’s family, home, and children. Therefore, the Day of Defenders of the Motherland is a national holiday for the Uzbek people.

The history of this day in Uzbekistan dates back to 1992 when, on January 14, the country’s parliament decided to transfer all military units, educational institutions, and other formations stationed on the territory of Uzbekistan under the jurisdiction of the Republic. Since then, every year on January 14, Uzbekistan celebrates this significant state holiday.

Motherland Defenders Day in Uzbekistan is celebrated widely and spectacularly. According to tradition, the anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan is performed on Independence Square in the capital. Military units march through the square with a solemn parade accompanied by a military orchestra. Participants in the parade also lay wreaths at the foot of the Monument of Independence.

The Day of Defenders of the Motherland is also known as Uzbek Army Day. It is the official professional holiday of the Uzbek Armed Forces. Before 1992, Uzbekistan, as part of the former Soviet Union, observed Soviet Army and Navy Day. After gaining independence, countries like Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan continued to celebrate Soviet Army and Navy Day as Defender of the Fatherland Day. However, on December 29, 1993, the Uzbek Parliament officially established the Day of Defenders of the Motherland to commemorate the anniversary of the formation of the country’s armed forces.

On this day, military units of the Tashkent Garrison line up in Independence Square and receive congratulations and awards from the president and the minister of defense. Holiday activities also include wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument to the Independence of Uzbekistan and the Amir Timur Monument.

To celebrate this holiday in a high and impressive spirit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev issued a decree on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasizing the need for grand celebrations.

According to the noble ideas of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, “The Army and the people stick together.” This principle is reflected in the practical actions of authorities, neighborhoods, youth and women’s organizations, educational institutions, and the general public. This shows that defending the Motherland is not only a duty but also an honorable responsibility.

Military personnel and veterans who have devoted their lives to protecting the Motherland are honored with great respect every year. The Day of Defenders of the Motherland is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy, highlighting the value of these professionals’ service to the nation.

Protecting the Motherland is a sacred duty for all. The National Army and law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in ensuring the peaceful and stable life of the people and creating the necessary conditions for their well-being.

In today’s world, with increasing threats of international terrorism, extremism, and radicalism, it is essential for our Armed Forces to maintain a high level of combat readiness. Significant reforms in military and political fields have strengthened the National Army, making it more capable of responding to any threats.

Additionally, the knowledge, skills, and mental training of every serviceman are continuously improving. The military profession has always been considered both demanding and honorable. Our soldiers endure harsh conditions, guarding the peace of our homeland day and night, in both cold and heat.

Efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities, foster patriotism among youth, and enhance public involvement in supporting the army have reached a new qualitative level.

Today, we can proudly say that our National Army has become a reliable guarantor of our borders’ security. By applying global best practices in military patriotism, construction, and industry, our armed forces have become a source of pride. Modern servicemen exemplify loyalty, bravery, and selflessness, demonstrating deep knowledge, strong will, and firm preparation to fulfill their sacred duty.

Across the globe, people dedicate their lives to maintaining peace and safeguarding their homeland. This noble profession is universally respected and honored. On January 14th, we commemorate the establishment of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces. In 2025, the people of Uzbekistan will proudly celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Day of Defenders of the Motherland.

Internet sources:

  1. en.wikipedia.org
  2. people-travels.com
  3. suit.uz
  4. nspi.uz

Fakhriddin Yernazarov,
Senior Teacher of the “Languages” Department
of the Tashkent Islamic Institute named after Imam al-Bukhari.

 

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Abdul Rahim Amin Bukhari: The Calligrapher Who Left His Mark on the Kaaba

27.10.2025   63180   6 min.
Abdul Rahim Amin Bukhari: The Calligrapher Who Left His Mark on the Kaaba

When millions of Muslims turn toward the Kaaba in Mecca for prayer, few may realize that the sweeping gold calligraphy on its iconic black cloth, the Kiswa, bears the legacy of a single artist — Abdul Rahim Amin Bukhari.

A master calligrapher from Mecca, Abdul Rahim Amin Bukhari dedicated his life to adorning Islam’s holiest site with words of divine beauty. His name, though not widely known outside Saudi Arabia, lives on in gold thread, etched into the sacred fabric that veils the Kaaba.

Abdul Rahim Amin Bukhari was born in 1917 in Mecca — a city pulsing with spiritual rhythm and Islamic tradition. As a boy surrounded by centuries-old mosques and devotional art, Bukhari was drawn to Arabic calligraphy early in life. What began as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong vocation.

At just 15, he joined the Kiswah Factory, newly established in 1927 by King Abdulaziz. This factory, devoted to producing the Kaaba’s annual covering, became the cradle of his artistic journey. Bukhari trained under the best, learning the subtle curves and disciplined elegance of classical scripts.

By the 1930s, he had risen to become chief technician, and eventually deputy director by the 1960s. His path was defined not only by artistic talent, but by humility and devotion.

Every year, the Kiswa is renewed — a majestic cloth of black silk, embroidered with Qur’anic verses in gold and silver thread. Its creation is a sacred task, and for decades, Bukhari was the pen behind its powerful script.

Specializing in the Thuluth script — a flowing, monumental style favored for religious inscriptions — Bukhari laid out every curve and flourish of the divine text. His designs set the standard, and to this day, artisans use his original layouts when crafting the Kiswa’s golden band (known as the hizam). His was not merely a job; it was an offering.

More than a technician, he was the soul of the Kiswa’s design. The gold lettering that millions of pilgrims see and touch was once inked by his hand on tracing paper, then embroidered stitch by stitch by a team he led and trained.

A Historic Commission: The Kaaba Door of 1944

One of the defining moments in Bukhari’s career came in 1944, when King Abdulaziz ordered the creation of a new door for the Kaaba. The old door, weathered by time, was to be replaced with a gilded masterpiece — and it was Bukhari who was asked to inscribe it with sacred text.

His calligraphy, rendered in bold Thuluth script, graced the new door’s copper and silver panels. The shahada (Islamic testimony of faith), the names of God, and select Qur’anic verses adorned its surface. These inscriptions were engraved into the metal by artisans, preserving Bukhari’s artistry in gleaming permanence.

This door, installed in 1947, became a symbol not just of royal generosity, but of spiritual craftsmanship. It was the first of two Kaaba doors Bukhari worked on — the second being the current door installed in 1979, which also features his calligraphy.

The Man Behind the Script

Though quiet and devoted, Bukhari’s work earned him respect at the highest levels. He wrote verses for early Saudi flags in the 1930s, crafted inscriptions for ceremonial mosque curtains, and even lettered the Rawdah curtain in Medina. King Faisal recognized his service by having Bukhari’s name woven into the Kiswa itself — a singular honor that continues to this day.

Visitors to Mecca who gaze upon the Kaaba’s belt will find his name hidden in gold — Abdul Rahim Amin. It is a subtle yet profound tribute to the man who helped shape the visual identity of Islam’s holiest structure.

A Living Legacy in Silk and Gold

Even after his passing in the late 1990s, Abdul Rahim Amin Bukhari’s calligraphy remains alive, literally sewn into the Kaaba each year. His templates are still used for the Kiswa’s verses, his scripts guide modern artisans, and his legacy continues to bridge art and worship in the most sacred way imaginable.

In the world of Islamic calligraphy, Bukhari stands as a pillar — not only for his mastery of pen and ink, but for how his work sanctified space. Every Muslim who looks at the Kaaba is unknowingly reading the words he shaped. Every stitch of gold thread reflects his lifelong devotion to making divine words beautiful.