A delegation of international experts in the field of religious freedom of the United States visits Uzbekistan
09/11/2019 23:02
A delegation of international experts in the field of religious freedom of the United States visits Uzbekistan
09/11/2019 23:02
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Between 28 October and 9 November 2019, a delegation of international experts in the field of religious freedoms, as well as representatives of various US denominations, visited Uzbekistan.
As part of the visit, a series of seminars, round tables and expert meetings were held with the participation of more than 40 theological scholars, experts in the field of law and religion, leaders of faiths and socially active women from the USA, Great Britain, Sweden, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Cambodia and Iraq
The American side was represented at the meetings by the head of the Institute for Global Engagement Chris Sayple, former Ambassador for Special Assignments in Religious Freedom David Saperstein, one of the recognized leaders of the Muslim community in North America, Imam Mohammed Majid, widely known among US religious and political circles, pastor Bob Roberts and other reputable scientists.
A seminar on the rule of law and religious freedoms, a scientific and practical seminar on strengthening the role of women in the spiritual and educational sphere with the participation of 10 women experts from the USA, Sweden, Cambodia, Pakistan and Iraq attended the events in Tashkent and Samarqand.
Participants of the events through social networks (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and others) actively shared their impressions of the visit with their subscribers.
Chris Siple, Honorary President of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), praised the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan to ensure religious freedom in the country. According to him, “Uzbekistan has made great efforts with good intentions. We are pleased to be on this journey with you and to support your efforts. Much has already been done, but much remains to be done. Regarding the improvement of the law on freedom of religion and the process of registration of religious organizations, he emphasized "establishing an open and direct connection between the government and foreign experts. At the same time, he noted the importance of continuing bilateral consultations on the bill. In his opinion, in the republic "large-scale reforms are being carried out in all areas, equal opportunities are presented to all religious organizations."
“All this helps to build trust and maintain interfaith harmony,” Chris Siple writes on his page. Fully supporting the policy pursued by the President of Uzbekistan, the head of the Institute praised the country’s approaches to ensuring freedom of religion as an integral factor in increasing the country’s investment attractiveness.
Former ambassador on special assignments in the field of religious freedoms David Saperstein emphasized that in connection with the ongoing large-scale reforms in the country in the field of religious freedoms, for the first time since 2006, Uzbekistan was removed from the list of countries of particular concern.
“This is the first time that a country has collaborated with a foreign non-governmental organization concerned with religious freedom. It is a great honor for individual American non-governmental organizations represented by IGE to meet with Uzbek partners, ”the diplomat said. The expert praised the results of the meetings, noting that "despite different ideas and religious beliefs, everyone prayed for the well-being of Uzbekistan."
One of the recognized leaders of the Muslim community in North America, the head of the largest in the USA ADAMS mosque, Imam Mohamed Majid, in his comments on social networks, notes that “for everyone in the Muslim world, it is necessary to create a favorable environment in Uzbekistan, in which representatives of different nations and religions live together respecting each other, showing compassion and support. " In this context, the expert, repeating the statements of the Prophet Muhammad, added: “The best of us is the one who does not harm others, with his tongue and hands.”
According to him, “Uzbekistan has made a huge contribution to the development of Islamic civilization with an invaluable legacy of such great Islamic scholars as Imam al-Bukhari and Hakim al-Termizi, whose works are appreciated and studied to this day. The Imam also said that Islam, despite its origin on the Arabian Peninsula and spread to the shores of Indonesia, as a religion of enlightenment, has developed in Central Asia.
In this context, Imam Majid welcomed the plans for next year’s “Dialogue of Declarations” - an international forum with the participation of leading theological scholars, experts and supreme muftis. According to the head of the American mosque, the existing scientific and theological potential in Uzbekistan would allow holding such a forum with success and facilitate the adoption, for example, of the Bukhara Declaration, which embodied the principles of the final documents adopted in Morocco and Jakarta in January and May 2016.
Pastor Bob Roberts (pastor of the Texas NorthWood Church), widely known among congressmen, diplomats and business circles in the United States, said on social networks: "Uzbekistan is an example of how people of different faiths live in peace and prosperity." With great enthusiasm, the pastor listed the real changes taking place in the country and expressed his willingness to pray that God bless all the Uzbek people.
“Thank you God for President Mirziyoyev, for the conditions created for freedom of religion. I ask the blessings of heaven for the entire Uzbek people, let him be an example for the whole world. May peace always reign on their land, smiles will be on the faces of their children, may their neighbors consider themselves happy. May Uzbekistan always be a land of hope and opportunity,” Pastor Bob Roberts writes in his prayer.
All participants in the round tables positively assessed the changes that are taking place in Uzbekistan in the field of religious freedom, in this context they expressed their readiness to assist in the continuation of further reform of the sphere with the involvement of highly qualified foreign experts.
The President and CEO of the Institute for Global Engagement, John Boyd and others, in their comments admitted that there have been significant changes in the sphere of religious freedoms that have been observed recently in the republic. According to the head of IGE, Uzbekistan has achieved great success by improving the legal environment for the free and peaceful coexistence of all religious denominations and societies existing in the country thanks to the invaluable wisdom of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He stressed that the government of the country provides an open dialogue with registered religious organizations and representatives of the clergy, providing them with equal support in meeting the needs of believers, creating effective mechanisms for religious education, and preventing radicalization. According to him, the intensive transformations adopted in Uzbekistan provide an atmosphere of high religious tolerance, which is considered by the world community with deep personification.
US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Daniel Rosenblum praised the positive reform program initiated by the President of Uzbekistan, thanks to which the country is expanding opportunities to strengthen religious tolerance, ensure religious freedom and develop education in this direction.
Kristen Lundqvist, Director of IGE Women’s Support Programs, said on her page: “I’m impressed with the level of women’s social activity in Uzbekistan. I am glad to share my experience in developing the leadership qualities of believing women in their efforts to strengthen intercultural and interfaith dialogue. ”
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