Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has highlighted the historic religious and scholarly ties between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, saying the region has played a major role in the development of Islamic scholarship.

In a message to the international scientific research conference titled “Scientific Heritage and Position of Imam Marghinani in Contemporary Islamic Sciences,” Akhund said Transoxiana and Balkh had served as major centers for producing and nurturing prominent scholars in Quranic studies, Hadith, theology and Islamic jurisprudence throughout the history of Islamic civilization.

He said the region’s intellectual heritage continued to hold significance for contemporary Islamic scholarship and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting that legacy.

Akhund also pointed to longstanding ties between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in areas including spirituality, Sufism and economic cooperation, alongside their shared faith and religious values.

He expressed hope that the common bonds between the two countries would be further strengthened through mutual respect, trust and cooperation.

The remarks came as Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have sought to expand bilateral engagement, including economic and trade cooperation, while maintaining longstanding cultural and religious links rooted in the history of Central and South Asia. (ILKHA)