Seminar discusses declaration of Tashkent city as World Islamic Cultural Capital
International Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(ISESCO) declared Tashkent one of the four capitals of Islamic culture in 2007.
Scientific-practical seminar "Tashkent — the capital of Islamic culture in 2007"
was held in the Tashkent Islamic University late last week and dedicated to this
noble issue, the Jahon news agency reported quoting Narodnoye Slovo newspaper
reported on 13 January.
The professors and other teaching faculty of the university, scholars at the
Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies,
representatives of the Committee o-n religious affairs of the Cabinet of
Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Department of Muslims of Uzbekistan and
journalists attended the meeting, the report said.
The participants underscored that the fact that Tashkent has been declared o-ne
of the capitals of Islamic culture was of profound historical, cultural and
political significance. They also agreed that the capital of Uzbekistan has
truly deserved to receive such title.
Tashkent is an ancient city, which has always been playing an important role in
Ihe history of the entire region.
While as a center for the world religions in various times Tashkent has had and
continues to have a special significance in the history of Islamic civilization.
Reportedly more than 2,000 mosques and more than 10 higher, secondary and
specialized schools and Tashkent Islamic University are operating in Uzbekistan
at the time. Leading schools of this sphere — the Tashkent Islamic University
and the Tashkent Islamic Institute are located in the Uzbek capital.
The unique collection of oriental manuscripts of the Institute of Oriental
Studies and many other Islamic relics, which are included into the UNESCO's
"Word Significance Monuments" are also preserved in Tashkent, the report also
said.
Uzbek leader resolves to mark birthday of Abdulla Kahhar
Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed on 8 January a resolution on
celebration of the 100th anniversary of birth of Uzbek writer Abdulla Kahhar.
The document created an organizational committee and entrusted it to develop
a plan on celebration of the 100th anniversary of birth of Abdulla Kahhar.
The resolution said Uzbek Science Academy, Writers Union, National Spiritual
Centre will organize conference on work of Abdulla Kahhar and hold celebrations
at Uzbek National Academic Theatre in September.
The Uzbek leader said that museum of Abdulla Kahhar should be reconstructed
and replenishment with new exposition
The document said Uzbek theatres should stage plays of Abdulla Kahhar and
publish book with the best works of Abdulla Kahhar.
Uzbekkino (Uzbek Film) national agency entrusted to shoot documentary on
life and work of the Uzbek writer, while the Uzbek Agency for Communication and
Information will issue postage stamps and envelopes with image of Andulla Kahhar
and motives of his works.
New crossing
point on Uzbek-Kyrgyz border to be created with EU funds
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and H, Tajikistan,
Adrian van der Meer, has announced that the European Commission (EC) will
finance and build a crossing point near the town of Osh on the border between
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
The point will have both automobile and railway crossing departments, and will
cost the EU some 500,000 euro. More than a half of the allocated sum, 295,000
euro, will be spent on high-tech equipment for the border control, and training
of the local officers. he construction of the border point is part of the EU
Border Management Programme in Central Asia. It is intended not only to counter
drug and arms trafficking, but also to encourage trade between the regions close
to the border.
The city earmarked for the border post construction hosts the largest retail
market in Central Asia. The improvement of border control will contribute to
enhancing security in the region.
The Embassy of the United States of America to the Republic of Uzbekistan was
open for business at its new premises located in Tashkent's Yunusobod district.
Two months prior to the move, on 14 December 2005, Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Uzbekistan Jon R. Purnell and his
guests officially dedicated the new Embassy facility. Chief among the
Ambassador's guests were Elyor Ganiev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, and General Charles E. Williams, the Director and Chief
Operating Officer of the US State Department's Bureau of Overseas Buildings
Operations. In his keynote speech, General Williams described the new Embassy as
"a fitting symbol of America's commitment" to maintaining a presence in
Uzbekistan. Foreign Affairs Minister Ganiev, Ambassador Purnell and General
Williams gave credit to the close cooperation between Uzbeks and Americans as
well as the governments of Uzbekistan and the United States for making the new
facility possible.
The Dedication Ceremony was a celebration for those who have worked on the
buildings as well as those who will be working in them. Municipal officers
including the khokim of Tashkent City Abdukakhar Tuhtaev attended the ceremony
along with the representatives of construction companies that helped build the
facility and the American and Uzbek embassy personnel who will be stationed
there.
On 23 February 2006 media representatives were invited to visit the new
Embassy facility. Journalists were shown to the Consular Section, six interview
desks for those wishing to receive US visas including one specially equipped for
people with disabilities. As was announced, the work of the Consular Section did
not cease operating even during the process of moving into the new premises. At
this time, visitors wishing to obtain visas are received as usual in the
mornings at the new Embassy site.
In addition, journalists were shown around the rooms of the Embassy where
comfortable conditions for work have been created. In a multifunctional hall for
up to 100 people modern equipment, a large screen that lowers automatically, a
projector and facilities for simultaneous translation were demonstrated. It is
here that receptions, meetings and other events of the Embassy will be held.
The contractor for the design-build project was J.A. Jones Construction
Company of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It retained the American
architectural firm of Hellmuth Obata + Kassabaum of Washington to design the
facility. The new chancery, with more than 11,000 square meters of space, shares
the 4.5-hectare site with several ancillary buildings and support facilities.
The cost of the project was approximately US$60,000,000. Since the
Groundbreaking Ceremony in June 2003, more than 300 Uzbek workers have been
employed at the project site. Moreover, a substantial portion of the
construction materials was purchased in Uzbekistan. Altogether, the project
added at least US$ 10,000,000 to the local economy.
In addition to the lavish use of marble and other materials from the region,
the new chancery houses an art collection of 71 paintings, photographs,
ceramics, sculptures and works on paper created by American and Uzbek artists. BVV Business Report,
Uzbek government
passes resolution to regulate activities of foreign journalists.
The resolution is aimed at "creating the necessary conditions for media
correspondents of foreign states" to work in Uzbekistan.
The activity of foreign journalists in Uzbekistan "is permitted on the
condition of accreditation from the Uzbek Foreign Ministry," the document said.
The ministry will issue authorizations for foreign media organizations to
open news bureaus in the country. The rights and obligations of foreign
journalists can also be regulated on the basis of bilateral agreements with the
countries concerned.
According to the resolution, if foreign journalists infringe regulations,
the foreign ministry can issue warnings, cancel accreditation, annul visas, and
where necessary expel them from the country.
"Accredited foreign journalists are forbidden from calling for changes by
force in the existing constitutional set-up; violating the territorial integrity
of the republic; propagandizing war and violence, cruelty, national, race, or
religious hostility; and are also forbidden from interfering in the domestic
affairs of Uzbekistan", the resolution said.
Accredited journalists have the right to free movement within the territory
of Uzbekistan, excluding places closed to visits or demanding special
permission. BVV Business Report
Uzbek population increases by 314,000 in 2005
Number of Uzbek population
increased by 314,000 to 26.02 million in 2005, according to official data of the
Uzbek State Property Committee.
As of 1 January 2006, the number of population of Uzbekistan increased
by 1.2% year-on-year, The committee said natural growth of population made up
313,900 persons.
The number of population in urban areas rose from 9.38 million to 9.44
million and rural areas rose from 16.32 million to 16.5 million. Average
lifetime made up 69.4 among male and 73.8 among female.
Uzbekistan remains the third largest nation in CIS after Russia and Ukraine.
The country has one of the highest birth rates in post-Soviet space. It is
expected that the population of Uzbekistan will reach 40 million by 2020.
Uzbekistan has negative balance of external migration. According to official
data, some 98,000 people, or up 12,300 people year-on-year, migrated in 2005.
Main migration partners of Uzbekistan are Russia and Kazakhstan. The country
receives about US$500 million annually from export of labor forces. BVV Business Report
All news are reproduced
according to the paragraph 8 of Uzbekistan Copyright regulation law and
according to the written consent of the editorship of
BVV Business Report. All rights reserved...
