Institute of History of the Science Academy of Uzbekistan, Tashkent State Islamic University, French Institute of Researches of Central Asia, International Institute on Central Asian Researches at UNESCO and Representative Office of UNESCO in Uzbekistan have organized the conference.

More than 150 honoured scientists from Uzbekistan, Russia, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran and some other countries have participated in the forum. 35 reports containing valuable data about ancient and rich heritage of Uzbek people and the role, which Uzbekistan has played in history of Islamic civilization and culture has sounded on it. Within two days scientists from 11 countries acquainted participants of the forum with reports, wide thematic range of which fluctuated from history to art, starting with traditions of Islamic culture and finishing with state approaches and programs in this sphere. And, one day before the forum visitors of the capital have got acquainted with sights of Tashkent, in particular, have visited "Hazrati Imom" complex. This brilliant product of architecture and obvious reflection of efforts directed on revival of the heritage is the special concept of tolerance, - have noted scientists.

"To find and connect a thin string of the past and the present and at the same time to display its significant role in the history of Islamic civilization - is to be admired only, and the fact that a lot of things made for restoration and transformations of cultural values and historical monuments causes genuine interest of experts abroad" - said participants of a representative international forum.

In this connection it is pertinently to quote one of statements of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov: "It is not a secret that today interest to Islamic religion is amplifying all over the world. The main reason for this consists in truthfulness and cleanliness, humanism and tolerance of our religion, in the appeal to goods and mercy, in its huge role and value in finishing justified vital tests, values and traditions up to the future generations."

In modern Uzbekistan these qualities find greater value as means of inter religious dialogue and mutual understanding. And the topic of the present conference "Islamic values of the Central Asia: tolerance and humanism" is rather actual not only for this region, but also the whole world.

Uzbekistan is an important integral part of the Moslem world. In turn Islamic values have played an important role in the formation of moral principles of Uzbek people. During the history our country was on a crossroads of trading and cultural contacts of various people and civilizations, and coexistence of various ethnicities, cultures and creeds during many centuries have determined confessional tolerance of our people.

Special attention at conferences has been given to the politics spent by Uzbekistan on maintenance of a liberty of conscience. Owing to resolute and consecutive measures in questions of inter-ethnic relations and religions, the inter-ethnic consent and inter-confessional cooperation in the country have strongly affirmed, marked participants of the forum.

The right of every person to profess or to not profess any religion is guaranteed by the Constitution of Uzbekistan and the Law "On the liberty of conscience and religious organizations". The saved up centuries-old experience is used in these documents. One of the important achievements of Uzbekistan for the last period, in opinion of experts, is political stability, inter-confessional consent and inter-religious tolerance in our country. All conditions for legal equality and economic and public freedom of all citizens independently of their nationality and religious belonging are created in the Republic.

If to speak by means of figures for today there are over 2250 religious organizations of 17 various faiths officially registered in Uzbekistan. Overwhelming majority - 2042 or 92% from them make the Moslem organizations. There are 2000 mosques working and in 1980 there were only 89 of them. For years of independence hundreds of churches, synagogues, and chapels have been constructed and restored. More than 60 thousand of Uzbekistan citizens have made Hajj to sacred places during independence, and approximately as much made the "Umra" (small Hajj). Only in this year more than 9 thousand of Moslems of the Republic will make sacred pilgrimage to Mecca. Annually more than 150 representatives and other religious communities make pilgrimage to the relics of Israel and Russia.

As was noted by the forum participants in their speeches, the Uzbek government is making significant efforts to preserve and develop national traditions, revive the native languages and cultures of the nations living in Uzbekistan. The creation of conditions for religious practices has become one of the priorities of the young independent state. The representatives of religions live in peace and accord here. Throughout centuries of coexistence in Uzbekistan, Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other religions have not only developed a culture and traditions of tolerance, but also have learned to live tolerantly and cooperatively. These are not just words. History has brought us diverse monuments of different cultures which bear testimony to the coexistence of different religions. An Uzbek scientist and candidate of historical sciences, Adkham Ashirov, has told us about one these sites, the mausoleum of Hoji Daniyar. For many centuries, many Uzbeks, Russians, and Jews as well as other nationalities have come to worship the holy site where Prophet Daniel lies buried. Muslims call him Prophet Hoji Daniyar, Christians and Jews - Prophet Daniel. This phenomenon is of great interest to historians because the holy site is worshipped equally by Muslims, Christians and Jews.

The Republic has been running projects to revive and develop Islamic culture, study and advocate the rich scientific and cultural legacy of the Uzbek nation, restore Islamic sanctuaries, which can be exemplified by the recent record-time restoration of Hazrati Imam Complex in Tashkent at the initiative of President Islam Karimov. Presently, the majestic mosque of Hazrati Imam, Kaffol Shoshiy mausoleum, the madrasah of Barokhon, worship place of Muyi Muborak, the new building of Uzbekistan Muslim Board and other unique buildings once again demonstrate the great constructive potential of the Uzbek people. The complex has acquired a totally new image. While viewing it, President Islam Karimov noted that such spectacular buildings may be built on a holy land blessed by the Almighty, and this confirms the depth and strength of our spiritual roots. Islam is professed by the bulk of the population in the region and its moral criteria are largely defined by the norms of behavior. However, the lofty ideals and humanism of Islam are often discredited by extremist groupings.

In recent years, unfortunately, certain extremist groups have been attempting to destabilize the situation in different regions of the world. What's more, they base their hideous actions on Islam. By using religious slogans, they try to resolve political, economic, social and national problems, which contradict the principles of Islam. They use all means to inculcate in young people's consciousness principles that are far from this great religion. In their speeches, the participants touched upon the noblest ideas of Islam.

In this context a deeper study of a phenomenon of tolerance of this religion is presented rather actual, its general historical heritage, humanistic traditions of Islamic philosophy and the art have played important creative and socially consolidating role in the history of people of Central Asia, - has been underlined at the forum.

With this purpose by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov Tashkent Islamic University was created in 1999. It is the largest high school in the region which prepares specialists who master strong secular and theological knowledge and modern technologies. Islamic research center, information resource centre, modern computer and language laboratories and Internet network operating in the university promote the further enrichment of youth with knowledge.

For years of existence of the university 577 students both male and female have received bachelor's degrees and 126 received master's degrees. 35 masters and 113 bachelors who have graduated from faculties of history and philosophy of Islam, economy and natural sciences on such specialties as Islamic law, international economic relations, computer science and information technologies have received diplomas this year.

The "Storehouse of sources" department, which is engaged in gathering and ordering of religious, scientific and the cultural wealth created by our ancestors within many centuries, also works at the university. The main objective is to pass them on in safety for future generations. Here there are 192 manuscripts which concern different branches, and also 655 lithographed and 131 modern printed rare books. The storehouse constantly replenishes with ancient manuscripts. The university has received rare books as gifts from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait. The Research center of Islam is engaged in restoration of rich religious and scientific theoretical heritage of our ancestors, its deep studying and analysis. Scientists of the center are engaged in studying of Koran and "tafsirs", "hadiths", histories and philosophies of Islam, "fikh" (the Islamic right) and other sciences. And the concept of teaching of educational subjects developed here on religiou s studies and Islam at universities and educational centers brings up such person's concepts as tolerance, toleration, love to the native land and cultural wealth and great historical heritage.

Indicative here can become and the huge positive experience which has been gained throughout the years of independence in Uzbekistan. During this period young Uzbekistan has radically changed its attitude to religion, considering it as a part of cultural spiritual traditions of the country. Today revival of cultural wealth and tolerance has risen up to a level of state policy of the Republic. It proved by words of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov: "Ethnical, cultural and religious tolerance of our people is another inexhaustible source of spiritual revival. For thousands of years Central Asia has been a place of meeting and implementation of various religions, cultures and ways of life. Tolerance became a natural necessary norm for survival and further development".