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April 5 |
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The morning of April 5th began with breakfast in the hotel. The breakfast was hosted by Dr. Fasilgori Sobirov, Uzbek Minister of Religious Affairs (seated to Shaykh Nazim's left). |
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Typical Uzbek breakfast with green tea and an assortment of dishes.
Then into the government limos for the trip to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. |
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Ministry of Religious Affairs |
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Following breakfast, the official ISCA delegation was taken by official government limos to the government ministries, located in the center of Taskhkent (right). |  |
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Outside the Ministry building which houses the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Shaykh Nazim points out "features" of the communist-era structure. |  |
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The Ministry hosted a Press Conference with Mawlana Shaykh Nazim and
Mawlana Shaykh Hisham. Reporters and cameramen packed the crowded
room.
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The entire press conference was broadcast live on Uzbek television channels, as well as rebroadcast repeatedly during the following day. |  |
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The ministry provided translator translated from Uzbek and Russian to
English and back for the benefit of the reporters.
Following a short statement by Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, the shaykhs fielded questions regarding the delegation, ISCA and the work of the Uzbek government with ISCA in providing assistance on Islamic education. |
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Ministry of Religious Affairs staff were proud to show off this photo,
that of the 1946 Hajj delegation for all of the Soviet Union.
Back to the limos for another ride... |
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Lunch was then hosted for the shaykhs and the official delegation by the Minister of Interior. |  |
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Shaykh Nazim led the du`a to open the meal. |  |
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Tashkent Islamic University |
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Salat al-Dhuhr followed, then the delegation was driven in entourage escorted by police cars with sirens flashing to the Islamic University of Tashkent. |  |
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There Shaykh Nazim and the entourage were shown the many classes and facilities of the university, in a comprehensive tour. |
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| Following the tour, Shaykh Nazim was welcomed by the staff and students of the University in a special gathering. | ||
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There the Shaykh addressed the students, which included a large number of women, many covered (and some not, based on their own personal choice), emphasizing to them the place of Samarqand and Bukhara in Islamic history. |  |
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The Shaykh asked Allah to grant the students the himmat of rijal (enthusiasm of Men of Allah), to continue to study and learn Shariah and its branches as well as the principles of Tasawwuf. |  |
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A number of students made presentations of
welcome and several Quranic students recited for the gathered shaykhs.
Shaykh Nazim here signs the university guestbook. |
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National Press Center |
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From the University, the ISCA delegation proceeded to the National Press Center, where a large contingent of reporters and press photographers were present. |  |
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The Shaykh opened with a statement, then the
floor was opened for questions. Many of the reporters were from Russia,
and translation was provided.
Transcript: TV and Press Conference The Uzbek evening news contained lengthy coverage of the day's official events. |
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Government of Uzbekistan Hosts Dinner |
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That evening, dinner was hosted for the entire tour group by the Government of Uzbekistan. |  |
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Official hosts included the Grand Mufti Bakhromov and Dr. Fasilgori Sobirov, Uzbek Minister of Religious Affairs. |  |
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South African delegation, consisting of
Ibrahim Patel, Imam Hassan Walele, Dr. Yusuf Da Costa, Anver Masood and
Shamyl Da Costa.
American guests included members of the American Embassy staff who sat with the shaykhs and discussed a number of affairs of common interest. |
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Following dinner, and a brief suhba, Mawlana Shaykh led Salat al-`Isha, after which all retired for the night. |  |
 April
4 |
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April
6  |
The Naqshbandi
Eastern World Tour 2001 is presented by the Islamic Supreme Council of America
and its Chairman, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani.
1400 Sixteenth Street NW, #B112, Washington DC 20036 USA
Members of the
media, public sector, research and interfaith groups are encouraged
to contact
our Washington offices for more information.
Please email dilshad@islamicsupremecouncil.org
(c) Copyright, Islamic Supreme Council of America 2001
