Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 25 March, Iftar ceremonies were held across all regions of Uzbekistan, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attending the event in the capital.

Opening the gathering, the head of state once again congratulated the people of Uzbekistan and the entire Muslim ummah on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.

— In this blessed month, we are happy to share Iftar with our people on our sacred land and are infinitely grateful to the Most Merciful Allah for this, — said the President.

The principle of "For the sake of humanity, for the sake of its happiness" underpins Uzbekistan’s state policy. The country guarantees freedom of conscience and citizens’ rights, which is particularly evident during Ramadan. Society strengthens values such as harmony, compassion, patience, morality, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Great attention is given to studying the humanistic essence of Islam and preserving the spiritual heritage of great ancestors. Construction continues in Tashkent on the Center for Islamic Civilization, a major scientific and educational complex that will symbolize the Islamic world’s achievements in science, education, and culture, inspiring youth to make new discoveries.

In Samarkand, a large-scale Imam Bukhari complex is being built, featuring a mosque accommodating up to 10,000 worshippers, as well as a museum and research institutions. This grand site, along with the Center for Islamic Civilization, is expected to open this year.

Special attention is being paid to the 1155th anniversary of the great theologian Imam Maturidi. According to a presidential decree dated March 14, his mausoleum in Samarkand will be renovated, and the scholarly legacy of Maturidism will be studied in collaboration with international researchers.

To promote interfaith and interethnic harmony, the International Forum "Dialogue of Declarations" will be held in Tashkent and Samarkand in September, providing an important platform for interreligious and intercultural interaction.

According to the Constitution, Uzbekistan is a social state that pursues humane policies centered on people. Last year alone, 16 trillion soums were allocated for social support, benefiting 51,000 children from low-income families with preschool education, 176,000 people with medical care, and 182,000 with social services.

Through the "Kindness and Support" Fund, 94,000 families received financial assistance totaling over 130 billion soums. Under the "Women’s Notebook" initiative, 3.5 million women received 5.7 trillion soums in support, while the "Youth Notebook" program provided 1.3 million young people with 1.7 trillion soums in aid.

Pilgrims also contributed 6.3 billion soums in financial support to low-income families and individuals who lost their breadwinners.

Environmental improvements remain a priority as well. As part of the national "Green Land" initiative, religious leaders planted over 10,000 trees and 32,000 flowers this spring, greening mosque areas and pilgrimage sites.

These environmental efforts are expanding under the State Program "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy." Recently, at the Interfaith Council in Khiva, representatives of religious communities expressed their commitment to actively supporting the program.

The Iftar in Tashkent was attended by ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and religious communities, further highlighting the country’s atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect.

During his speech, the President also addressed global issues, expressing regret that many conflicts and instability occur within the Muslim world. In the face of growing threats, he stressed the importance of unity and solidarity among the Islamic ummah.

The head of state particularly emphasized the need to protect young people from harmful ideologies and to nurture them through knowledge and enlightenment. Quoting Bahauddin Naqshband, he stated: "Let your hands be at work and Allah in your heart," underscoring that hard work and self-realization are key to societal well-being.

Across 9,500 mahallas in Uzbekistan, Iftars have been organized under the motto "Ramadan — the month of generosity, unity, and magnanimity" for low-income families. These charitable efforts strengthen human dignity and national cohesion.

— As the great Alisher Navoi wrote: "The duty of the virtuous is to do good." It is through kind deeds that life on earth continues and is filled with light, — said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The event concluded with Quranic recitations and prayers for peace, prosperity, and well-being in Uzbekistan and around the world.

Iftar ceremonies nationwide were attended by elders, intellectuals, representatives of various religious communities, people with disabilities, and low-income citizens—altogether around 60,000 participants.