Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 August 2019, on the eve of Independence Day of Uzbekistan, the presentation of Alisher Navoi’s book “Muhakamat ul-Lugatayn” was held at the Embassy of our country in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in which representatives of socio-political and academic circles took part, analytical centers and universities of the IRP, as well as central and regional media.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Furkat Sidikov described in detail the initiatives of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at supporting and popularizing national literature, improving the reading culture, developing the publishing system, including the publication of works by historical figures and famous thinkers of Uzbekistan.

The well-known Pakistani scholar-philologist, ethnic Uzbek, professor Uguz Bilal, who translated the book into Urdu, noted in his speech that there is currently a growing interest in studying history in the socio-political and academic circles of Pakistan, as well as among students and literature of Uzbekistan. The works of such great poets as Alisher Navoi, Zakhiriddin Babur and other famous classics of Uzbek literature are especially popular in the country.

He emphasized that he, as a philologist and representative of the Uzbek diaspora in Pakistan, was inspired by the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev “Book challenge” (“Kitob Khadiyasi”) to popularize the culture of reading books. This initiative, in his opinion, is also relevant for other countries where there has recently been a decrease in interest, especially among the younger generation, in reading books, including historical essays and classical works. The scientist emphasized that it is gratifying to see what attention is paid in modern Uzbekistan to the intellectual, cultural and spiritual education of the young generation.

“It was the above-mentioned efforts of the President of Uzbekistan aimed at supporting the historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people that prompted me to start translating the work of Alisher Navoi into Urdu,” said Uguz Bilal. He is confident that this work of the great Uzbek poet will occupy a worthy place both in private libraries and in educational institutions of the IRP, and will expand cultural ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.