The 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 the intelligentsia gathered at the Shahidlar Khotirasi (Memory of Victims) 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. There, the President spoke with religious leaders and representatives of the intelligentsia about preserving historical memory, restoring victims’ names and dignity, 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, we have lived free and prosperous lives 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 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 strengthen efforts to preserve the memory of our courageous ancestors and to 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 efforts have been made to preserve the memory of victims of repression and to restore historical justice. The Museum of the Memory of Victims of Repression at the Shahidlar Khotirasi Memorial Complex has been fully reconstructed and equipped with modern technologies, and its exhibition has been expanded. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence have made the museum's exhibits more vivid and informative.

Museums dedicated to the memory of victims of repression in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and across all regions of the country have also been upgraded to meet modern standards. Their collections continue to be enriched with unique documents and photographs from around 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 been victims of 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 legacies. Information about hundreds and thousands of selfless compatriots is being shared with the broader 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 faced criminal prosecution. The President emphasized that historical justice is now being restored regarding the events of that period and that this noble work will continue consistently.

The President expressed concern about the intensification of armed conflicts and political confrontations around the world, including their spread to regions near 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 stray from this path”, the President said.

Today, our compatriots can travel freely to countries around the world, while Uzbekistan cooperates with all states based on equality. This is a tangible reflection of our full liberation from the shackles of colonialism and so-called “cotton slavery”.

It was noted that an important condition for the development of 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 with love and devotion to the Motherland. Over the past ten years, the number of higher education institutions has increased from 77 to 205, and admission quotas have 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 underway 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”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The Islamic Civilization Center has been built in the capital, the Imam Bukhari complex in Samarkand has been fully reconstructed, and the Burhanuddin Marginoni Center has begun operations in Margilan. All this demonstrates that the development path of the New Uzbekistan is one of peace, friendship, 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 fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and kindness in society and in the proper upbringing of young people.

“Today, in this sacred place, we offer our boundless gratitude to the Almighty for our peaceful, tranquil life and for the achievements we have made. May the souls of our heroic ancestors, our fathers and grandfathers, and 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!” the President said.

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

UzA