The Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

As part of the 1st International Forum of Islamic Civilization, an official meeting was held between Muzaffar Kamilov, Head of the Department for Religious and Educational Affairs of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Sodiq Toshboyev, Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Zulkifli bin Hassan, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Da’wah and Guidance of Malaysia; and Tan Sri Abdul Rashid bin Hussain, Chairman of Tabung Haji.

During the talks, the sides held a detailed discussion on further deepening the multifaceted strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Malaysia in the religious and educational, scientific, and academic spheres.

The sides expressed their readiness to support mutually beneficial initiatives aimed at expanding institutional cooperation between higher education institutions, establishing academic exchange programmes for faculty members and students, implementing joint research and professional development projects, and promoting the exchange of experience in Islamic studies and modern religious education.

The meeting also addressed prospects for systematically studying the experience of Malaysia’s Tabung Haji, which has a 60-year history, in organising Hajj pilgrimage; jointly establishing Islamic banking and Islamic finance centres in Uzbekistan based on Malaysia’s experience; developing proposals aimed at addressing social challenges on a scientific basis; advancing modern formats of pilgrimage tourism, including “Umrah Plus” programmes; broadly promoting Uzbekistan’s rich historical and cultural heritage and the heritage of Islamic civilisation internationally; and implementing joint initiatives in these areas.

It was particularly emphasised that practical cooperation in the religious and educational sphere will contribute to enriching the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Malaysia with new substance, strengthening friendship and mutual trust between the peoples of the two countries, and promoting the principles of tolerance, enlightenment, and moderation at the international level.

🌐 Information Service of the Committee on Religious Affairs