An international conference dedicated to the in-depth study of the life and scientific-enlightenment legacy of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi was held at the Institute of Languages and Cultures of Central Asian Peoples at Samarkand State University. The event was organized under the theme “Pressing Issues in the Study of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi's Legacy and the Jadidism Movement”.

The conference was opened by Hakim Khushvaqtov, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Innovations of Samarkand State University. In his speech, he particularly emphasized the role of Behbudi's legacy not only in the spiritual life of the Uzbek people but also of the entire Turkic world, noting that his progressive ideas have not lost their significance even in the modern era.

Representatives of the regional khokimiyat (governor’s office), literary scholars and historians, creative figures, professors, journalists, and students actively participated in the event. Renowned specialists from Uzbekistan and foreign countries delivered speeches at the conference, sharing their scientific perspectives.

Specifically, Professor Vahid Türk from Istanbul Kültür University, Director Zhanna Botabaeva from Jumatbek Tashenov University in Kazakhstan, Professor Bahodir Karim from Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Chief Researcher Dilorom Alimova from the National Center for Archaeology, Chief Researcher Bahrom Irzayev from the State Museum of Memory of Victims of Repression, Director Gulmamat Akhmedov of the Mahmudkhoja Behbudi House-Museum, Associate Professor Dilafruz Jabbarova, and other scholars spoke extensively about Behbudi’s personality, his activities during the period of national awakening, his political views, and spiritual legacy.

During the conference, presentations by specialists participating online from Turkey were heard. They shared their thoughts on the similarities between Behbudi’s ideas and the Jadidism movement in Turkey, as well as on modern interpretations of national awakening ideas.

Within the framework of the event, a video prepared by the staff of the Mahmudkhoja Behbudi House-Museum was shown, illustrating Behbudi’s life, creative work, and activities in the fields of press, theatre, and education through vivid images.

Conference participants delivered scientific presentations on topics such as “The Jadidism Movement and Mahmudkhoja Behbudi in Turkic Lands”, ‘Stages of Formation and Development of the Jadidism Movement in Turkestan”, “Behbudi’s Contribution to the Development of Turkestan Theatre Art”, “Mahmudkhoja Behbudi and Political Processes in Turkestan”, “Behbudi’s Dream: Freedom and Progress”, “Mahmudkhoja Behbudi – Founder of Modern Uzbek Statehood”, “Analysis of Jadid Views on Military Reforms in Turkestan”, and “The Role of Samarkand Jadids in Turkestan Enlightenment”.

At the conclusion of the event, scientific discussions were held, and important proposals and recommendations were put forward for the in-depth study of Behbudi’s legacy, its integration into the hearts of the younger generation, and the elucidation of the ideologically resonant aspects of the Jadidism movement with the present day.

Information Service of

Samarkand State University

Samarqand davlat universiteti

Axborot xizmati.