Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah: “Uzbekistan — a Land Steeped in History and Brimming with Knowledge”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 10 September 2025, as part of the Second International Forum “Dialogue of Declarations” held in Tashkent, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Council of Fatwas, addressed participants via a welcoming video message.

In his speech, he highly praised Uzbekistan’s role as the host country, emphasizing the importance of international declarations in strengthening interfaith peace and harmony.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah noted that Uzbekistan has been, for centuries, one of the key centers of civilization, giving the world outstanding hubs of science and culture such as Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva. He particularly highlighted the contributions of Uzbek scholars — al-Bukhari, Ibn Sina, and al-Khwarizmi — to the development of human thought and the enrichment of global heritage.

He stated that the United Arab Emirates fully supports Uzbekistan’s efforts to promote the values of peace and tolerance.

The speaker stressed that respect for religious minorities is a universal principle, and that the pursuit of improved interfaith dialogue and the safeguarding of freedom of religion is a shared goal for all nations.

In this context, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah emphasized the forum’s role in consolidating the international community around constructive interfaith cooperation, the development of religious education, support for political dialogue, and the prevention of isolation of religious groups and conflicts, while fostering the service of faiths to humanity.

The forum is organized by ISMI in cooperation with the U.S. NGO “Love Your Neighbor Community” (LYNC), with the support of the Committee for Religious Affairs, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Samarkand Regional Administration.

About 50 leading religious scholars, theologians, experts, and senior officials from 15 countries — including the USA, UK, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Central Asian states — are participating in the event.