Information about the activities of the Uzbek International Islamic Academy in the spiritual and educational direction, as well as the conditions and opportunities created for students

The Uzbek International Islamic Academy is currently educating over 2300 students and postgraduates. Their activities in the spiritual and educational fields, as well as the conditions and opportunities created for students, aim to enhance their spiritual worldview, nurture a sense of patriotism, protect them from various negative influences, and effectively utilize students' free time. 

In the spiritual and educational direction, the following departments are actively operating within the Academy: 

- Department of working with youth, spirituality and enlightenment;

- Department of women and girls; 

- The initial organization of the Uzbek Youth Union Academy; 

- Department for ensuring accommodation for students; 

- Academy's student dormitory and others. 

To make students' free time useful, increase their knowledge and skills, and showcase their talents, various clubs and projects are available, such as: 

- Art clubs – dutar, piano, violin, vocals; 

- Sports clubs – football, volleyball, badminton, chess, checkers, table tennis, bodybuilding, and others (according to demand); 

- Special extra-curricular clubs – Book Club, Ziyo Yulduzlar, psychological training, computer literacy; 

- Science clubs – 27 clubs in various science fields; 

- Student theater studio (as a club); 

- Cyber Youth Club; 

- "Zakovat" intellectual tournament project;

- "Students League" sports competitions; 

- "Student Reader" project; 

- "Thinkers" book club; 

- "Education Lovers Club"; 

- Debate Club "Munozara" on debating skills;

- "Eco-Volunteer" project, and others. 

Efforts are being made to support and encourage talented students through state and special scholarships. Presidential scholarship, state scholarships named after "Imam Bukhari", special scholarship named after "Mahmudhoja Behbudi", Alokabank scholarship, and the "Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur" scholarship are also available.

Furthermore, various events, discussions, and educational activities are regularly organized to enhance the spiritual worldview of students at the Academy, nurture a sense of patriotism, and protect them from various negative influences. 

Efforts are made in the Academy to shape the healthy worldview of students and organize their free time effectively. For this purpose, more than 20 quizzes and contests on topics such as "Timurid Chronicles", "Works of Alisher Navoi", "History of Baburids", "Student Reader", "Behbudi Heritage", and "Constitutional Knowledge" are organized.

In museums located in Tashkent city, such as the State Museum of "Temurids History", State Museum of "Qatagan Victims", State Museum of "Shon-Sharaf", House Museum of "Abdulla Qodiriy", Museum of "History of Communication", "Victory park" Memorial Complex, and Writers' House, students' visits are organized to enrich their spiritual knowledge and experience the cultural heritage.

To instill a sense of patriotism in young men and women, film days are organized where Uzbek films such as "Abdulla Qahhor", "Abdulla Avloniy", "Ilkhaq", "Vatan", "Mahmudhoja Behbudi", and "Ibrat" are screened.

Agreements have been signed with 5 theaters - Uzbek National Academic Drama Theatre, State Academic Large Theatre named after Alisher Navoi, Uzbek Music Drama and Comedy Theatre named after Mukimi, Uzbek State Drama Theatre, and State Musical Comedy Theatre of Uzbekistan, for students, professors, teachers, and staff to visit these theaters. Additionally, on the 27th of every month, International Theatre Day is widely celebrated in our institution.

During all events related to national holidays, historical dates, and the commemoration of great ancestors, the professors, teachers, and students of the Academy actively participate. Especially on days such as the acceptance of the State symbols, Independence Day, "1st of October - Teachers and Mentors Day", "21st of October - Uzbek Language Day", "16th of November - International Day of Tolerance", "17th of November - Students' Day", "8th of December - Acceptance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan", "New Year's Day", "14th of January - Day of Defenders of the Motherland", "8th of March - International Women's Day", "21st of March - Navruz, the Holiday of Spring", "9th of May - Rememberance and Honor Day", "30th of June - Youth Day", events are held in a grand manner.

The Academy has embraced the tradition of holding discussions, news hours, and cultural, educational, and sports events related to the above-mentioned occasions in the Uzbek National Writers' House named after Alisher Navoi. Mahmudhoja Behbudi's legacy and contribution to academia are highlighted through lectures, news hours, and cultural and educational events held in the majestic poetry tent in the Uzbekistan National Garden dedicated to Alisher Navoi. These activities are widely covered on the Academy's website and social media channels.

Annually on January 19th, we honor the memory of our ancestors by celebrating their birthdays. Dedicated to Mahmudkhoja Behbudi, we recognize 'The Memory of the Great Enlightener Mahmudkhoja Behbudi is Recognized by Generations'. On Alisher Navoi's birthday, we commemorate that 'Navoi's Work is Eternal'. Likewise, on the birthday of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, we acknowledge 'The Great King and Statesman'. Furthermore, we dedicate events and conferences to the birthday of Amir Temur, focusing on the theme of 'Great Amir Temur and his Legacy'.

Within the scope of five important initiatives:

Under the first initiative, the Student Theater Studio and four types of musical art clubs have been launched.

As part of the second initiative, alongside sports competitions such as the "Rector's Cup", "Olympiad of 5 Initiatives", and "Student League", clubs have been organized for six types of sports.

Within the framework of the third initiative, clubs such as "Cybersport" competitions, "Infographics and Computer Graphics", "Python Programming", and "Computer Literacy" have been introduced.

As part of the fourth initiative, to promote and cultivate reading among Academy students, competitions such as "Reading Student", "Booking Quiz", "Most Active Reading Student", online reading quizzes, and book exhibition-trade fairs are being organized.

According to the fifth initiative, a job fair titled "Meeting of Employers and Students" was held, and activities for clubs such as "Sewing" and "Cooking" were launched.

The dormitory of Academy has 250 beds, with 249 students currently residing there. Competitions such as 'Intellectual Ingenuity', 'Day of Five Initiatives', 'National Food Collection', 'Secrets of Happiness', 'The Youth Evening', 'Good Food', 'Somsa Cooking', and “The best chef” are held with these students.

To improve the socio-spiritual environment within the academy and protect students from the influence of various foreign ideas deemed threatening to social life, roundtable discussions and contests are organized. Topics include 'Ensuring Freedom of Conscience and Activities of Religious Organizations in Uzbekistan', 'Negative Consequences of Religious Fanaticism and Fundamentalism', 'Destructive Activities Promoted by Extremist and Terrorist Organizations', 'Uzbekistan as a Tolerant Country', and 'Let's Protect Peace'.

To disseminate the noble ideals encapsulated by the principle of "enlightenment against ignorance," as led by the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoyev, and to effectively promote the ongoing reforms within the framework of the New Uzbekistan, thereby fostering a healthy social and spiritual milieu among the youth, the Academy was established with the core mission of instilling the educational and humanitarian tenets of Islam. Teams comprising industry experts have undertaken the responsibility of consistently organizing meetings and roundtable discussions across our Republic.

To counteract the propagation of ignorance among the youth under the guise of religious beliefs through social networks, and to bolster the campaign for "enlightenment against ignorance," it is imperative to heighten caution and awareness. This entails the development of programs, broadcasts, and internet content aimed at raising consciousness regarding the dangers posed by religious extremism and terrorism. Drawing upon the insights gleaned from individuals convicted of such offenses, as well as completed criminal cases and court materials, concerted efforts are underway to foster a wholesome environment within the general public. This endeavor includes the creation of informative video films and videos as part of ongoing initiatives.

The Ziyo Media Center appears to serve a crucial role in fostering the talents and capabilities of students in media while also contributing to the dissemination of valuable knowledge and cultural content. By organizing performances and providing training opportunities, it not only enhances the skills of presenters, media editors, and screenwriters but also enriches the overall media landscape with diverse and informative programming.

The selection of popular programs offered by the center demonstrates a commitment to education, cultural enrichment, and moral guidance. Titles such as "Lessons of Imam Bukhari," "Legal Literacy," and "Enlightenment Against Ignorance" suggest a focus on religious and legal education as well as combating ignorance through enlightenment. Moreover, programs like "The Way of Strong Faith," "Gift of Ramadan," and "Address of Confession" likely serve to inspire faith, promote understanding of religious practices, and encourage introspection and confession, respectively.

First vice-rector for youth affairs and 

spiritual and educational affairs                                             I. Mirziyotov