Uzbekistan is the cradle for great scientists

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to Uzbekistan Zulkifli bin Baharuddin and the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Mr. Kenny Thani visited the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.

The guests were warmly welcomed  by B.Mamadiev, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, B.Khodzhaev Head of International Student Affairs, A. Abdirashidov Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and International Relations and A. Ravshanov ,the teacher of the department “Islamic economics and Finance and  tourism”.

At the meeting, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation B.Mamadiev informed the guests about the activities of the academy, the study and living conditions of local and foreign students in undergraduate and graduate courses and doctoral studies.

Then Zulkifli bin Baharuddin expressed his satisfaction with the visit to the Academy and gave a detailed overview of the education system of Singapore, its universities and educational process.

The ambassador also highly appreciated the wide-ranging reforms implemented in Uzbekistan by President Shavkat Mirziyoev in economic, political and religious areas. He also said that there is an opportunity for expanding cooperation between the two countries, in particular, in attracting tourists from Singapore to the historical cities of Uzbekistan such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

Ambassador Zulkifli bin Baharuddin highlighted an active participation of Ashurali Abdurashidov, dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and International Relations at International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan with the topic “Uzbekistan: from great history to bright future” at the International Scientific and Practical Conference on Tourism Development at the Baalwee Mosque at the Council of Islamic Scholars of Singapore in December 2019.

During the conversation, the Ambassador expressed his interest in promoting this experience, recognizing the religious tolerance in Uzbekistan and the ongoing reforms in the direction of "Enlightenment against ignorance." The guests also shared their views and suggestions on cooperation between the Middle East University in Singapore and the Islamic Center and the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.

At the end of the meeting, the sides agreed to establish cooperation between the two countries, including the establishment of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and Singapore educational institutions.

At the end of a friendly meeting, we interviewed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to Uzbekistan Zulkifli bin Baharuddin.

Zulkifli bin Baharuddin:

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore in Uzbekistan:

I am very pleased to be attending the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan. The wise policy pursued by your President Shavkat Mirziyoev and reforms in all spheres are at the top. This is evidenced by changes in your capital. Great work is being done in religious and educational spheres as well. Singapore is a multinational country. About 15% of the country's population is Muslim. Therefore, the Government of Singapore is paying close attention to the development of Islam. In particular, the construction of mosques is the focus of the educational institutions in teaching Islamic sciences.

In this regard, there is ample reason to cooperate in this area between the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and universities of Singapore. We know many scholars in the Islamic world. But for Singapore, the scholars of Islam, including Imam Bukhari and Imam Termizi, who have been raised in the Uzbek land, play an important role. Therefore, there is a good reason to use the rich spiritual heritage of these thinkers and I would like to see our future cooperation in this direction. There is information about such scholars as Imam Bukhari in Singapore. But the young generation doesn't know much about them. Therefore, it is important to develop pilgrimage tourism. It would be expedient for Singaporean youth to study the legacy of scholars who came to Uzbekistan.

We know that Uzbekistan is the land of great thinkers, who from ancient times has acquired religious and secular knowledge and made an invaluable contribution to world science. In this regard, your country has a great experience and potential. In general, I support the cooperation between our countries not only in religion but also in other areas. For this purpose, of course, the development of tourism and increase of tourist flow are very important.

In today's meeting, we have  also mentioned these issues. Cooperation and exchange of experience is important for the development of all areas. The similarities in many directions are indicative of the commonality of our countries.