Leaders gather at the November 15th event in Tashkent.
On Saturday, November 15, an International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “Uzbekistan – Tolerant Country” was held in Tashkent, gathering foreign experts, diplomats, theologians, and leaders of various religious denominations. The event, organized within the framework of the nation’s annual “Tolerance Week,” was convened by the Committee on Religious Affairs and other key state bodies. Participants emphasized Uzbekistan’s consistent efforts to strengthen interethnic and interfaith harmony, highlighting the country’s historical role as a crossroads of civilizations and its modern constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, which are foundational to this policy.
Representatives and leaders from a wide spectrum of faith traditions—including Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and others—gathered alongside political figures, scholars, journalists, and representatives from the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan. Other participants were from Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, South Korea, Malaysia, India, Scotland, and additional nations. Their presence created a diverse and dynamic forum for dialogue, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation across cultures and religions.
Among the distinguished international speakers was Sadhu-priya Das (Sanjeet Kumar Jha), President of the ISKCON temple in Moscow and Chairman of the Hindu Council of CIS Countries. Invited by the Government of Uzbekistan, he delivered an address centered on the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“the world is one family”—highlighting the universal ideal of spiritual kinship.
In his remarks, he praised Uzbekistan’s active role in promoting regional harmony and safeguarding a pluralistic social fabric. He noted that the architectural heritage of Samarkand and Bukhara stands as a living testament to centuries of interfaith exchange. Sadhu-priya Das also acknowledged the positive environment for all faith communities in the country, including the registered presence of the Krishna Consciousness movement in Tashkent.
ISKCON was additionally represented by Shri Madhava Das from the Tashkent temple, further underscoring the movement’s engagement in the region’s ongoing interreligious efforts.
The conference served as a significant platform for building interfaith relations. High-level representatives, including Presidential Advisor Ruslanbek Davletov and Uzbek Muslim Board Chairman Mufti Nuriddin Khaliknazar, spoke about how their country consistently supports the environment of interethnic and interfaith harmony. International guests, such as Efrem Tendero, Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance, and Phil Wagler of the Peace and Reconciliation Network, praised Uzbekistan’s year-round commitment to tolerance. They noted that the week-long Conference, initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, translates policy into practice, creating equal conditions for all religions and setting a notable example of peaceful coexistence for the global community.
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