German professor: “The Center for Islamic Civilization and the Imam Bukhari International Scientific-Research Center – these projects are commendable”

The delegation of the Islamic Center for Civilization in Uzbekistan and the Imam Bukhari International scientific-research center hold a series of meetings in Berlin, in the capital of Germany, in Islamic international research centers, prestigious universities, museums and manuscripts.

The delegation of Uzbekistan visited the Center for Contemporary Oriental Studies in Leibniz, and the german colleagues were informed about positive events in Uzbekistan, guarantees of citizens of various faiths about freedom of religion, a sense of full membership in society and ensuring their free will. Nowadays, in some parts of the world multinational people are perceived as a negative factor causing social problems, but it is noted that ethnic diversity and multinational people are the true wealth of Uzbekistan and an important criterion of the creative power and potential of the nation.

We present you the views of German Islamic scholars, orientalists about active reforms in Uzbekistan.

Gudrun Kremer, director of the Institute of islamic studies at the Free University of Berlin:

I mainly do research on modern Islam in the Middle East, especially in the Arab world. I am very pleased that the Uzbek delegation visited our university. At this meeting, we exchanged views on the establishment of cooperation with Uzbek specialists. Indeed, in Germany there are many valuable manuscripts important for Uzbekistan. We consulted in the field of scientific cooperation in the collective study of these manuscripts.

Another aspect of cooperation is the creation of special training courses for students and young scientists.

I have been many times in Uzbekistan. In particular, I participated in international conferences in Samarkand and other cities between 2000 and 2006. During my trips, I acquainted with your country and learned about the cultural and enlightenment heritage and customs of the Uzbek people. I am very pleased to have close contacts with the Uzbek Islamic scholars and establish scientific cooperation.

Konrad Hirschler, Professor of Islamic Studies at the Free University of Berlin, director of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies:

I think that the visit of the Uzbek delegation to Berlin was fruitful. Today, Islamic Studies Centers have been established in your country, and the measures taken by the government to improve their profession are remarkable. The scale of the work in this direction has made me very excited and my interest in cooperation has increased. I believe that the ties with the study of historical manuscripts are very promising. I hope that in the future we will carry out extensive research with Uzbek scientists.

Ulrike Freitag, director of the Center for Contemporary Oriental Studies, professor:

I positively estimate the wide openness of Islam in Uzbekistan and the establishment of centers by the government. We are delighted to cooperate with representatives of the Islamic Civilization Center of Uzbekistan and the Imam Bukhari international scientific-research center with German Research Centers and Universities. Today, we are interested in studying the historical roots of Islamic culture and conducting joint research on tolerance in the Islamic religion.

Heike Liebau, head of research at the Center for Contemporary Oriental studies:

I studied 30 years ago at the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Tashkent State University. I remember with pleasure the past years, my teachers and my friends. That is why I was very pleased to receive guests from Uzbekistan. In a sincere conversation, we acquainted with the Islamic centers in Uzbekistan. Considering that the Islamic centers in Tashkent and Samarkand are in harmony with the Leibniz Oriental Studies Center, we hope that soon we will have a meaningful and fruitful cooperation between our centers.