UNESCO CONFERENCE

		Participants gather for Dhikrullah.
Mufti of Uzbekistan, His Eminence Abdurashid-Qori Bahromov and His Eminence Salman Musaev, Mufti of Azerbaidjan greet Shaykh Kabbani.	Uzbek officials crowd around Shaykh Kabbani.	The representative from Iran, Ayatullah Mohammed Khorasani.
	Shaykh Kabbani talks with His Royal Highness Prince Hasan bin Talal of Jordan.

In the morning ISCA delegation gathered in lobby prior to of conference commencement. Council chairman Shaykh Hisham Kabbani greeted by the Mufti of Uzbekistan, His EminenceAbdurashid-Qori Bahromov, His Eminence Salman Musaev, Mufti of Azerbaidjan.

Congress opened by the Director General of UNESCO, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, H.R.H. Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan and Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Hamidullah Karomatov. 80 participants and observers from 40 countries took part in the talks introduced by key-note speakers addressing four topics:
1) Reciprocal Knowledge and Interactions between Religions and Spiritual Traditions;
2) Education on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue;
3) Interreligious Dialogue in Central Asia;
4) Joint Actions for Peace and Conflict Prevention.

H.R.H. Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan’s spoke, addressing roots of religious conflict and ways of preventing such clashes in an ever-closer global, interconnected world. “ For almost 1500 years, the three great monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, have co-existed through sharing history, basic beliefs and attitudes, most notably their belief in one God,” Focussed on commonalities between the three heavenly revealed religions: “we believe in the Day of Judgment when everyone will have to account for his deeds and misdeeds.” HRH noted a “Highly noticeable is the emphasis given to Sufism and practices that in the Middle Eastern context would be called 'popular Islam', …such as cults of saints and mysticism” in Central Asia. Emphasized “these distinctions, even if made by scholars, do not appear to detract from the idea of Islam as an overwhelming force for wide scale, mass mobilization in Central Asia and the Caucasus,” Noted such mobilization was often spearheaded by Muslim women, during days of Soviet anti-religious oppression.

Shaykh Kabbani followed up Prince Hassan’s talk directly. Spoke of Islam as religion in which human dignity is valued above all else. The Shaykh started, “It cannot be over-emphasized that Islam upholds the values of reason, balance and responsibility in the conduct of its worldly affairs.” Focussed on religious tolerance as hallmark of traditional Islamic belief and orthopraxy throughout Muslim world until last century. Stated, “ From the onset of Islam’s expansion, treaties and pacts were made with the indigenous people’s protecting their right to their faith and their sacraments.” Shaykh noted that typically a very small fringe of radicals often make religion synonymous with intolerance in modern world. Stated, “The Islamic concept of Jihad, originally defined as a struggle to educate the unaware of Islam’s pristine moral principles and call them to its lofty goals, and whose nature is military only in the case of outright aggression against the Islamic nation, has been adapted to a virtually Marxist or Socialist concept of class revolt aimed at overthrowing the authority of the state.” Concluding with emphasis on preservation of traditional Islamic teachings through education and propagation, spearheaded by government and religious institutions. Shaykh painted a Uzbekistan as unique as an “antique carpet, whose threads are woven together in a very special way …under the skilled eye of a carpet weaver, an extraordinary work of art emerges from the individual strands.” UNESCO conference hosted religious representatives from around the world, including: Algeria, France (Jews and Muslims), the Vatican, Turkey, Tunisia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Switzerland, China, Morrocco, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Jerusalem (Jews and Muslims), Japan, and other nations. Main UNESCO conference lasted only one day. Followed by extensive tour of the nation, hosted by Uzbek government. Concluded with a UNESCO-sponsored Symposium on Sufism, in Bukhara, on September 18^th.

 Foreign Minister hosts reception

 

Shaykh Kabbani and ISCA delegation special guests of Uzbek Foreign Ministry. Given extended tour of city of Tashkent. Then invited to visit the Mufti of Uzbekistan’s mosque and office. His Eminence Mufti Bakhromov presented Shaykh traditional Bukhari robe (jubba), books on Uzbekistan. Mufti Bakhromov gave a personal tour of the mosque’s special historical museum. 

Sayyidina `Uthman's Quran

On display, Mushaf of the Holy Qur’an belonged to Sayyidina Uthman, third Caliph of the Prophet (s) –he was reading it when assassinated by revolting dissidents in Madina; his blood stains still visible on its pages. Mufti gave special consideration to Shaykh Kabbani, ordered glass case containing the mushaf be opened in order so Shaykh could kiss and touch it. Shaykh Hisham explained that whoever touches this Qur’an will have special protection from Allah, as something that the Sahaba ( r) have touched, is blessed, and source of blessings. He prayed that anyone doing so go directly to paradise after death. “Such are the tremendous benefits which are gained by those who give respect and love to the Companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him for they were the ones who actually knew the Prophet in this life, accompanied him, ate with him, traveled with him and heard the Quran from his holy lips.”

Islamic University of Tashkent - Reception for UNESCO delegates

Mufti of Uzbekistan and Orthodox church of Uzbekistan hosted UNESCO delegates to special dinner at Islamic University Of Tashkent. Shaykh Hisham sat at head table; engaged in close discussions with Doudou Diène, Director, Division of Intercultural Dialogue of UNESCO, HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan and Mufti of Uzbekistan Shaykh Bakhromov.

DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9

UNESCO CONFERENCE INFORMATION - OFFICIAL WEBPAGE