At an international seminar held in Stockholm, Uzbekistan's extensive experience in promoting religious tolerance, countering extremism, and reintegrating former members of terrorist groups was presented. The event took place on March 24–25 at the Swedish Parliament – the Riksdag, gathering over 120 participants, including MPs, Swedish government representatives, experts, law enforcement agencies, religious organizations, and diplomatic corps. The Uzbek delegation was led by representatives of religious and state structures, headed by Mufti Nuriddin Khaliknazar, along with experts in religion and interfaith dialogue.
During the seminar, detailed presentations were made on the large-scale work being carried out in Uzbekistan to strengthen freedom of conscience and interreligious harmony, particularly the "Mehr" operation, which facilitates the social adaptation of citizens returned from conflict zones. Speeches by participants, including those who had returned from conflict regions, made a strong impression on the audience. It was emphasized that the country employs a comprehensive approach—from humanitarian aid to educational work—aimed at preventing radicalization.
Swedish politicians and international experts highly praised these efforts. Specifically, MP and head of the "Sweden–Central Asia" friendship group Björn Söder stressed the importance of studying the Uzbek experience in combating extremism. The Swedish Foreign Ministry's Special Representative for Interreligious Dialogue, Christian Kamill, called the "Mehr" operation a significant contribution to the fight against radicalization, noting that dialogue between religions is the foundation of sustainable security. The Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy, Svante Cornell, also highlighted the importance of spiritual and social approaches in countering extremism, emphasizing initiatives implemented in Uzbekistan.
The discussions noted that Uzbekistan's achievements in this field are gaining international recognition, yet internal challenges persist, such as the activities of virtual communities spreading terrorist ideas. For instance, it was mentioned that a virtual community disseminating terrorist ideologies was recently dismantled in the Jizzakh region, underscoring the ongoing and multifaceted nature of the fight against extremism.
Source: podrobno.uz