Press release
On September 28, 2022, in the "Palace of Symposiums" in Tashkent there was a mutual dialogue with, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq bin Fawzon ar-Rabia and the Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sodiqjon Toshboev and the Chairman of the Muslims Board of Uzbekistan, Mufti Nuriddin Domla Khaliqnazarov.
The two countries have long been connected by historical, cultural and religious ties. Relations between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia are built on the foundations of common and strong cooperation. Our ancestors aspired to Mecca and Medina. They are always fond of visiting holy places such as the House of God - the Kaaba, Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah valleys, the Rawzai shrines and tombs of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, the Baqi' place where the great companions were buried, the Qiblatain and Quba mosques, and Uhud mountain.
It should be noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Relations between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have gained positive momentum in recent years, and the quality of mutual cooperation has reached a new level.
In the dialogue, the Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs Sadiqjon Toshboev noted that the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev's state visit to Saudi Arabia on August 17-18 this year at the invitation of two employees of the Holy Mosque, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, serves to raise the cooperation relationship to a higher level.
Importantly, he noted that the long-term friendship between the two nations, the scope of relations based on the principle of brotherhood, has expanded even more.
Also, Hajj and Umra events are being implemented by the Public Council on organizing and holding Hajj and Umra events based on Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 364. He noted that the pilgrims from Uzbekistan deserve the status of the most exemplary during the annual Hajj season.
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Tawfiq bin Fawzon al-Rabia, noted that the high-level talks between the leaders of the two countries demonstrated the commonality of views. The parties focused on further expansion of mutually beneficial relations between the two countries in trade-economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian, scientific-educational and tourism sectors.
At the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan, Mufti Nuriddin Domla Khaliqnazarov stated that the people performing Hajj and Umrah are the guests of Allah Almighty, and the person who helps them and eases their burden will achieve a great reward.
He also emphasized that the number of Hajj pilgrims this year has exceeded 12,000, and the number of Umrah pilgrims has exceeded 40,000.
His Highness the Mufti come up with some suggestions regarding further improvement of the quality of services for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, preparation more comfortable conditions for them in order to pray in the valleys of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa, as well as cooperation in scientific and research works, to hold conferences with the participation of religious scholars, organizing pilgrimages of Saudi Arabia citizens to ancient cities of Uzbekistan such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Termiz.
Yusuf Salih al-Utaybi, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Uzbekistan, said that today's historic meeting will enrich the cooperation with such practical results, and the introduction of visa-free regime for citizens of Saudi Arabia will be one of the important steps in the development of pilgrimage tourism.
During the talks, it was recognized that the state program "Nigoh-2030" is being successfully implemented in Saudi Arabia, that many approaches of the two countries are similar, and that they always support each other in the international arena.
At the meeting, a gratitude was expressed to His Highness the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, His Highness the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Highness the Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the employee of the Two Holy Mosques, who prepared the ground for such cooperation.
The issue of drafting a Memorandum between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan was discussed in the dialogue.
During the visit of the delegation of Saudi Arabia, it is planned to hold talks with the heads of a number of interested ministries and departments, to get acquainted with the activities of educational institutions, scientific research centers, and to visit holy places in our country.
Muslims Board of Uzbekistan
“Discover Pakistan” TV channel airs special program about Spiritual and Educational Heritage of Uzbekistan
A special program dedicated to the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization held in Uzbekistan was broadcast on the popular Pakistani TV channel “Discover Pakistan”, reports Dunyo IA.
Television project in the Urdu language was prepared by the creative team of the “Discover Pakistan” TV channel, which participated in the work of the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization.
The program extensively covers the main outcomes of the forum, its international significance, as well as Uzbekistan's activities in preserving the heritage of Islamic civilization and the ongoing reforms in the country's spiritual and educational sphere.
It was noted that the forum has become an authoritative international platform, uniting renowned scholars, religious figures, as well as state and public figures from various countries around the world. It was emphasized that within the framework of the event, important initiatives were put forward aimed at promoting the ideas of religious tolerance, interethnic harmony and enlightened Islam, as well as strengthening spiritual and educational approaches in countering extremism and radicalism.
Particular attention in the program was paid to the large-scale reforms implemented in the spiritual and educational sphere under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, the study of the rich heritage of great thinkers, the support of scientific research, and the promotion of the unique legacy of Islamic culture and civilization on the international arena.
Audience was also presented with detailed information on the contribution of Samarkand, Tashkent and Termez as recognized centers of science and enlightenment to the development of world Islamic civilization.
Program included interviews with a number of foreign scholars and experts who participated in the forum. They noted that the forum plays an important role in further strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation between states and peoples, as well as in promoting the principles of religious tolerance and mutual respect.
According to the television program host, the initiatives put forward within the framework of the forum received positive assessment from the international community and contribute to the development of science, education and intercultural dialogue.
“Open and constructive foreign policy of Uzbekistan, as well as the country’s efforts to create international platforms for dialogue, received high praise”, program notes.
Special program broadcast on the “Discover Pakistan” TV channel allowed the Pakistani audience to become closer acquainted with the rich spiritual and enlightenment heritage of Uzbekistan and the substance of the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization.
