ONLINE INAUGURATION OF THE ALISHER NAVAI RESEARCH CENTER

DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Online Inauguration of the Alisher Navai Research Center at Area Study Centre (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar & virtual Conference on, “Pakistan-Uzbekistan Historical and Cultural Connectivity was organized.

The conference commenced with the address of H.E AybekArif Usmanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan. He expressed his gratitude to Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad and Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar for honoring the legacy of Alisher Navai. He was of the view that this center will be a milestone in strengthening and boosting the cultural ties and people to people contacts of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

He emphasized that Alisher Navai gave a modern foundation to Uzbekistan and Uzbek language, the impact of his study on science and technology is also commendable. He also mentioned that in Uzbekistan, we admire people of Pakistan and their hard-working skills in science, history and leadership.  In Uzbekistan, we consider Pakistan as the rising economy of South Asia. It is a manner of great honor and prestige that the legacy of Alisher Navai will now be introduced in Pakistan.

Maj Gen Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd), President, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad appreciated the initiative of establishing the Alisher Navai Research Center. He discussed that through this initiative, legacy & teachings of AliShirNava’i will be introduced to youth of Pakistan, it will also prove to be beneficial in establishing contacts with the scholars of Central Asia.

He stated that Alisher Navai was not only a poet and an author, he was also a composer, painter, sculptor and a calligrapher. Maj Gen Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery was of the view that we should learn and be inspired from Alisher Navai and his life.

Mr. Davlatov Olim Davlatovich, Executive Director, Alisher Navoi International Public Foundation, Tashkent, Uzbekistanstated that Alisher Navai has a special place in the history of Uzbekistan. Apart from his services to the Uzbek language and literature, he is also known for building significant buildings like many mosques, Madrassas and bridges.

His work has been translated into many languages to promote his message globally. He highlighted that this center will positively impact scientific& academic collaborations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

Dr. Azmat Hayat Khan, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Peshawarhighlighted that Alisher Navaihas immortalized Central Asia through his literary work, he has left a big impact on the Indian Sub-continent. Dr. Azmat Hayat Khan further highlighted the prospects of Pakistan-Uzbekistan cultural Relations and emphasized that both countries have tremendous potential to collaborate in the field of agriculture and food security.

The establishment of this center will open new avenues of cooperation for both countries.

Mr. Muhammad Abdullah, Uzbek Language Expert from the University of Peshawar presented his remarks in Uzbek language.

He highlighted the cultural similarities between Uzbekistan and Pakistan and discussed that through the Alisher Navai Research Center, scholars of both countries will have opportunities to interact and exchange knowledge with each other.

Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad emphasized on the importance of academic & research collaborations between Uzbekistan & Pakistan. He invited Uzbek scholars and students to Pakistan for various joint projects related to Ali-Shir Nava’i and his legacy. He also highlighted that Alisher Navai’s style of writing influenced almost every classic poet, play writer and story teller of Urdu language and one of the most popular forms of poetry “Ghazal” is actually a gift of Alisher to subcontinent literature.

The ceremony was concluded closing remarks of Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director, Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar.

He stated that Alisher navai gave a new life to Uzbek language and literary works and the people of Uzbekistan have great respect and love for him.

He expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Uzbekistan, Islamabad and H.E AybekArif Usmanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan for his constant support in establishing this center.

A virtual MoU signing ceremony also took place between the Alisher Navoi International Public Foundation, Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar.Mr. Davlatov Olim Davlatovich, Executive Director and of Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.

The ceremony was attended by scholars of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.