“Both the Jadids and the Alash movement strived for people's liberation” – Saida Mirziyoyeva

On August 5, Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, delivered a speech at the Zakovat Asian Cup held in Astana. She highlighted that the most important task for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is the development of education, recalling the Jadidism and Alash movements of the early last century.

"In Uzbekistan, even seven years ago, schools and institutes would close every autumn. Teachers, students, and pupils were forcibly sent to the fields to harvest cotton. An entire generation remained semi-literate. However, we have put an end to a hundred years of cotton slavery. Millions of students have returned to educational institutions.

At the beginning of the 20th century, both the Jadids and the representatives of the Alash movement had the same goal – to liberate the people and advance the homeland. They all dreamed of a developed society. The intellectuals of our region understood well why we were lagging behind the world's countries in development. However, they were not given the opportunity to realize their plans.

Several generations have passed. Now, with the political will of our leader, we have begun to restore the legacy of the Jadids. They, like the representatives of your Alash movement, serve as an example for progressive youth. We have started the movement to realize the ideas of our intellectual ancestors, to bring enlightenment and education to the level they dreamed of," said Saida Mirziyoyeva.