Courage of our selfless ancestors remains an enduring example to follow

On the eve of Independence Day, we gratefully honor the memory of our heroic ancestors who fought for the freedom of our Motherland. Their heroism helps us appreciate even more deeply the value of the freedom we enjoy today and our national independence.

On August 28, representatives of state and public organizations, members of the older generation, religious leaders, and representatives of the intelligentsia gathered at the Shahidlar Xotirasi Memorial Complex.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended a ceremony commemorating the victims of repression.

In memory of the selfless sons of the Motherland, verses from the Qur’an were recited and prayers were offered. Memorial pilaf was served.

Verses from the Qur’an were also recited at the symbolic grave within the memorial complex. Here, the President spoke with religious leaders and representatives of the intelligentsia about preserving historical memory, restoring the names and dignity of victims of repression, and educating young people in the spirit of patriotism.

“These days, our entire country is joyfully celebrating the 35th anniversary of our national independence,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. “For thirty-five years now, we have been living a free and prosperous life under peaceful skies, dependent on no one. This is a great blessing and a priceless treasure. On such significant days, it is our sacred duty to remember our heroic ancestors who gave their lives for independence and freedom and to honor their memory.”

The President emphasized that the heroism of our selfless ancestors will never be forgotten and that their heroic deeds will forever remain a source of spiritual strength for our people.

“The noble idea ‘For Human Honor and Dignity!’ underlying all our reforms requires us to further strengthen efforts to perpetuate the memory of our courageous ancestors and turn their aspirations and hopes into reality. The more we honor the memory of those dear to us, the more deeply we value our peaceful life today and our national independence,” said the President.

In recent years, extensive work has been carried out to perpetuate the memory of victims of repression and restore historical justice. The Museum of the Memory of Victims of Repression at the Shahidlar Xotirasi Memorial Complex has been completely reconstructed and equipped with modern technologies, and its exhibition has been expanded. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence have been used to make the museum exhibits more vivid and informative.

Museums dedicated to the memory of victims of repression in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and all regions of the country have also been upgraded in line with modern standards. Their collections continue to be enriched with unique documents and photographs obtained from different parts of the world.

Between 2021 and 2025, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan cleared the names of more than 1,200 of our compatriots who had fallen victim to repression. This year, another 161 compatriots who had been unlawfully accused and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment or to death under the former totalitarian regime were rehabilitated.

Over the past five years, scientific and practical conferences dedicated to studying the legacy of our Jadid ancestors have been held regularly. Efforts are underway to identify our compatriots who were innocent victims of repression under the totalitarian regime and to study their activities and scholarly and creative legacy. Information about hundreds and thousands of selfless compatriots is being brought to the wider public through books, the press, and other media.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that even in the 1980s, thousands of our compatriots were subjected to political repression on fabricated charges as part of the so-called “cotton case” and “Uzbek case.” Between 1983 and 1990, 40,000 residents of Uzbekistan were investigated, and 5,000 of them faced criminal prosecution. The President emphasized that historical justice is now being restored with regard to the events of that period and that this noble work will continue consistently.

The President expressed concern over the intensification of armed conflicts and political confrontations around the world, including their spread to regions close to us. This requires us to value the peace in our country, strengthen our unity even further, and live in unity and harmony.

“Our path is one of peace, friendship, and cooperation. Uzbekistan will never deviate from this path,” said the President.

Today, our compatriots can freely travel to countries around the world, while Uzbekistan cooperates with all states on the basis of equality. This is a tangible reflection of the fact that we have fully freed ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and so-called “cotton slavery.”

The President noted that an important condition for the development of the New Uzbekistan is to build our lives and future on the foundations of knowledge and enlightenment while fostering friendly cooperation with countries near and far. It was not without reason that the great Jadids called upon the nation to awaken and pursue knowledge and enlightenment. Their legacy of struggle and enlightenment remains profoundly relevant today.

For this reason, particular attention is being paid to ensuring that young people receive a quality education and are raised in a spirit of love and devotion to the Motherland. Over the past ten years, the number of higher education institutions has increased from 77 to 205, while admission quotas have been steadily expanded. More than 3,500 young men and women are studying at universities ranked among the world’s top 100. Significant changes are also taking place in the school and preschool education systems.

“We must focus on raising our young people with a strong sense of national pride. National pride is a powerful force that fills a person’s heart and soul with energy and inspiration. A person with a strong sense of national pride cannot be defeated,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Center for Islamic Civilization has been built in the capital, the Imam Bukhari complex in Samarkand has been completely reconstructed, and the Burhanuddin Marginoni Center has begun its work in Margilan. All this demonstrates that the development path of the New Uzbekistan is one of peace, friendship and creation, knowledge and enlightenment.

Over the past ten years, reforms in the religious sphere have enabled more than 100,000 of our compatriots to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. The President expressed confidence that the religious community, led by the Mufti, will continue to actively participate in strengthening an atmosphere of mutual respect and kindness in society, as well as in the proper upbringing of young people.

“Today, in this sacred place, we offer our boundless gratitude to the Almighty for our peaceful and tranquil life and for the achievements we have made. May the souls of our heroic ancestors, our fathers and grandfathers, our courageous mothers, who dreamed of such free and prosperous days but passed away without seeing them, rest in peace! May our country continue to prosper as a land of peace, progress, and well-being! May the Almighty always protect our Motherland!” said the President.

At the conclusion of the event, a dua was offered for the victims of repression and our ancestors who gave their lives for the freedom of the Motherland, and for lasting peace, tranquility, and well-being in the country.