The chairman of the Justice, Law, Democracy (AHD) Party and Member of Parliament, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, has issued a statement to the party’s press service.
“Elchi” presents the statement:
– Gudrat bey, you also attended the First International Conference on Islamic Civilization; we would like you to share your impressions…
– My parliamentary colleague Javanshir Pashazade and I attended that conference at the invitation of the honorable Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade. The conference was attended by well-known religious figures, Islamic and orientalist scholars, socio-political figures, and statesmen from various countries around the world. At the conference, the Sheikh-ul-Islam and the Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, delivered speeches.
My greatest impression from the trip was that, despite 55 years having passed, the Sheikh-ul-Islam has maintained very warm and sincere relations to this day with the families he befriended while studying religion in Bukhara and Tashkent. This is an example that can serve as a model for all young people.
A magnificent Center for Islamic Civilization has been built in Tashkent. In addition to being used as a museum, it is also a convenient venue for holding various events. I would recommend every compatriot traveling to Tashkent to definitely visit it. After Turkey, Uzbekistan has been our closest country and has always supported us. President Mirziyoyev calls Azerbaijan a friendly and brotherly country whose words match its actions. As economic freedoms expand in Uzbekistan, domestic and foreign investment in the country’s economy increases, the economy grows, and people feel this in their own lives. The conference also continued in Samarkand. The Sheikh-ul-Islam also spoke there. The Sheikh considers Uzbekistan his second homeland, and the Uzbeks value this very highly. I witnessed the great respect shown to him. A grand presentation ceremony was held in Tashkent for the book “The Summit of Brotherhood and Alliance,” which reflects the contributions made by Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the strengthening of friendship between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The President of Uzbekistan awarded the Sheikh-ul-Islam with the “El-Yurt Hurmati” (Respect of the People and Homeland) order for his efforts toward the unity of Islamic peoples, the promotion of national-moral values based on Islam, his efforts toward carrying out reforms in Islam, and his contributions to the development of friendship between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, and presented it personally.
Mirziyoyev sees the fight against religious extremism in Islamic enlightenment. He ensured the reconstruction of Imam Bukhari’s mausoleum and mosque in Samarkand, and created a museum and a complex for people to visit and rest. I would recommend that our citizens visit Samarkand and Bukhara in the spring and autumn months, as the summer months are hot. During our visit to Bukhara, together with the Sheikh, we visited the Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Naqshband complex located on the outskirts of the city and his grave. It is necessary to see these restored 16th-century monuments. Together with the Sheikh-ul-Islam, we also went to the madrasa in Bukhara where he completed his 7-year education in 3 years, and to the house where he lived and befriended people during his student years. They were very moving scenes.
Holding such conferences that serve the promotion of Islamic civilization, the spread of religious enlightenment, Islamic unity, peace, and tranquility should be applauded, and for this, Uzbekistan deserves the kindest words.