M. Azilkhanov: Kazakh Uzbeks are an integral part of the people of Kazakhstan

Today, Deputy Chairman of the People`s Assembly Marat Azilkhanov, Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Inter-ethnic Relations Galym Shoikin met with representatives of the intelligentsia of the Uzbek ethnic group of the city at the Uzbek Drama Theater of Shymkent.

«The Uzbek ethnic group and the Kazakh people are connected not only by a common historical fate, but also by the proximity of cultural and spiritual values, language and customs.  And Kazakh Uzbeks are an integral part of the people of Kazakhstan, its full - fledged citizens,» M. Azilkhanov said in his speech.

At the same time, the commonality of our historical origin and past, the proximity of the languages and cultures of the Turkic peoples is an important factor in the stability and formation of a unified civil identity of our state.

In Shymkent, the Uzbek ethnic group makes up more than 17.5 percent of the total population of the city. There are four schools in the city with the Uzbek language of instruction, 32 with a mixed one.

The Uzbek Drama Theater of Shymkent works. This is the only Uzbek drama theater in the world created outside of Uzbekistan. At the same time, the Theater contributes not only to the development of Uzbek culture, but also to the strengthening of the all-Kazakh identity. Over 18 years, more than 100 productions have been staged at the theater, including the works of M. Auezov «Abai», Ch. Aitmatov «The White Cloud of Genghis Khan», A. Orazbekov «The Lonely Apple Tree», S. Dosanov «The Night when wolves howl».

The Deputy Chairman of the PA noted the need to continue further purposeful and joint work to strengthen the Kazakh civil identity among the population of the city of Shymkent, the formation of broad communication platforms for interethnic interaction.

It should be noted that Kazakh Uzbeks are united in the Association of Uzbek Ethno-cultural Centers «Dustlik». It unites the ethno-cultural centers of various regions and cities of Kazakhstan. The number of Uzbek ethnic and cultural associations in the country has reached 35.

The association «Dustlik»  successfully fulfills the mission of integrating representatives of the Uzbek ethnic group into the Kazakh society, involving them in the process of strengthening the independence of Kazakhstan, provides a worthy representation of the Uzbek ethnic group in the structure of the multi-ethnic people of Kazakhstan.