Exactly twenty-six years ago, the First President of our country, a great statesman and politician, an outstanding son of the Uzbek people Islam Karimov proclaimed the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

People of Uzbekistan associate all the tremendous success achieved in the years of independence with the name and activity of the First President. Islam Karimov directly led the work on establishment and implementation of a fundamentally new system of education for the harmoniously developed generation, which completely changed the intellect and outlook of youth – the decisive force of our present day and the future. 

... August 31, 2017. Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent, where the First President of our country worked for many years, heading the state. Sound of sad melody. The national flag is fluttering. 

Members of the Senate and deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, members of the government, Heroes of Uzbekistan, scientists and cultural, literature and art figures, representatives of public organizations, heads of embassies of foreign countries, representative offices of international organizations in our country, students, representatives of national cultural centers, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regions and the city of Tashkent attended the solemn ceremony dedicated to the opening of the Monument to Islam Karimov. 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the complex and delivered a speech at the ceremony. 

Islam Karimov, as the true leader of the nation, selflessly loved people who grew up and brought him up, his beautiful and inimitable Motherland, defended and realized its interests, considered the main goal of his life, noted the President of our country. He always followed the call that was forwarded by himself – "To live for the sake of people, for the sake of the country" and became an immortal ideal for future generations. 

I am sure that from this day on this complex will forever become a sacred place for our people, said the head of our state. 

Under the sounds of a silent melody, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the spouse of the First President Tatyana Karimova opened the Monument to Islam Karimov. They laid flowers at the foot of the monument to our great leader and paid tribute to his memory. 

Leading independent Uzbekistan for 25 years, the First President of our country has gained great authority among our people and in the international community as the great statesman who developed and implemented a deeply thought-out strategy of establishing of a market-based constitutional democratic state and open civil society. 

Large-scale reforms initiated by the First President are now being consistently continued by the head of our state Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

The resolution of the head of our state "On perpetuating the memory of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov" of January 25, 2017 became a practical reflection of the boundless respect and love of our people for their great son. As stipulated in the resolution, large-scale measures are taken on perpetuating the blessed memory of the First President of our country. In October 2016, the Republican charitable public foundation named after Islam Karimov was established. The mosque in Fergana street of Yashnabad district of Tashkent is called "Islom-ota". A significant work was carried out on organization of a museum of Islam Karimov in Samarkand. Within the framework of implementation of the resolution, Tashkent state technical university, Asaka automobile plant, the Palace of arts in Fergana, Tashkent international airport, the central streets of the capital of our country, Nukus, regional and district centers are named after Islam Karimov. 

The President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the final resting place of the First President of our country in Samarkand several times. Becoming familiarized with the project of the memorial complex, which will be erected on the burial site of Islam Karimov, gave instructions on its improvement. 

An international creative competition was announced on creation of a monument to our great leader in light of the execution of the resolution of the head of our state "On organization of international creative competition on creation of a monument to the great state and political figure, the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov" of December 2, 2016. 

According to the results of the competition, the monument created by a sculptor, academician of the Academy of arts of Uzbekistan, honored artist of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Jabborov was recognized as the best one. 

Chairman of the Union of writers of Uzbekistan M.Akhmedov, academician of the Academy of sciences of Uzbekistan Sh.Karimov, people's artist of Uzbekistan G.Melnikova, chairman of citizens' gathering of "Chilonzor" makhalla of the city of Tashkent O.Mutalov, FIFA referee, holder of "El-yurt khurmati" " ("Respected by people and homeland") and "Buyuk khizmatlari uchun" ("For outstanding merits") orders R.Ermatov, the spouse of the First President T.Karimova noted that Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov selflessly loved his people, he faithfully served Uzbekistan until the last days of his life and that the unfading memory of him will forever remain in the hearts of our compatriots, all our people. 

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On this memorable day of the celebration of the greatest, most precious holiday – the 26th anniversary of the independence of our Motherland, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Mustakillik square and laid a wreath at the foot of the Monument of Independence and Humanism, which is a symbol of our freedom, bright future and noble aspirations. 

Members of the Senate and deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ministries, departments and the public also laid flowers at the foot of the monument. 

UzA