Gilani lays wreath at Monument of Independence
TASHKENT, March 25 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday laid a wreath at the Monument of Independence and Humanism at the Mustaqillik Square, to pay tribute to Uzbekistan’s freedom and peace.The monument in the centre of the city is a symbol of Uzbekistan’s freedom, independence and depicts its desire for a peaceful future. The column carrying a globe and a statue of a happy mother holding her baby reflects the untainted closeness and love of a mother with her baby.
Gilani who was accompanied by Minister for Food and Agriculture Israr Ullah Zehri, Minister for Privatisation Syed Naveed Qamar and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other members of the delegation stood silent for a minute to pay his respects to those who laid down their lives for the independence of Uzbekistan.
The monument, surrounded by wide greens and fountains is a symbol of peace and love and respect for humanity by the people of Uzbekistan.
Gilani earlier visited the Hazrati Imam Complex that has been Uzbekistan’s centre of Islamic culture for over a thousand of years.
The complex houses the huge turquoise domed mosque, constructed in traditional Central Asian architecture and comprises two huge 56-meter tall minarets flanking the entrance.
It also includes the building of Uzbekistan’s Office of Spiritual Administration of Muslims, a library with over 30,000 books, including 2,000 rare ones having rich illustrated manuscripts of the early 16th century, unique samples of calligraphy, splendidly decorated books of the Quran gifted by leaders of Islamic countries.
The special artifact that attracts people from all around the world is the copy of Holy Book known as Hazrat Osman’s Quran, which is on display in the library’s special hall. It is narrated that it is the same copy of the Holy Quran which was being read by the third Caliph Osman (RA) when the mutineers came and killed him, leaving stains of his blood on its pages.