National Values – The Heart of the Nation

Every nation has its own heart. This heart is its culture, language, traditions, and values. These values have guided people through centuries, protecting them from challenges and leading them toward the future. In today’s rapidly changing world, returning to and preserving national values has become more important than ever. Those who forget their roots lose their future as well.

The Uzbek people possess a rich historical heritage, ancient traditions, diligence, and hospitality — all of which form the living heartbeat of our nation. Every custom, every ceremony, and every piece of oral folklore is not merely a memory of the past, but a vivid expression of the nation’s soul. The rebirth of nature during the Navruz festival, the fragrance of sumalak, and the blessings given to the younger generation — each of these connects us to our shared spiritual roots.

National values make a person truly human. Through them, we understand who we are and preserve our identity. Therefore, every young generation must deeply grasp the essence of national values and learn to harmonize them with the modern world. Values are not frozen relics of history — they live, develop, and renew. When generations draw inspiration from the past and apply it to the present, the spirit of the nation remains eternal.

In the modern world, some young people view national traditions as “remnants of the old days.” Yet this perception is mistaken. True modernity is not about rejecting one’s roots, but about striving for innovation while remaining grounded in identity. New technologies, the Internet, and global cultural exchange open doors to the world — but amid this openness, preserving our national “self” is crucial. There can be no progress without identity, just as a tree without roots cannot bear fruit.

National values are not limited to customs or clothing; they are reflected in one’s heart, behavior, words, and ethics. Honesty, compassion, respect for elders, and care for the young — these are the beats of our people’s heart. Each family, each educational institution, and every individual must continue to embody and pass on these values in daily life.

Thus, national values are the heartbeat of a nation — the force that keeps it alive. If this heart stops, the spirit of the nation fades. But as long as it beats, the people will remain eternal. Our greatest duty is to protect these values, to instill them in the hearts of our youth, and to present our national identity proudly to the world. National values are not just the legacy of the past — they are the strongest foundation for the future.

Yodgorova Madina Sherzod qizi was born on August 4, 2006, in Toshbuloq town, Namangan District, Namangan Region, Republic of Uzbekistan. She graduated from her local secondary school with a gold medal. She is currently a second-year student at Namangan State Pedagogical Institute.

Mother!

Mother! I can’t find words to describe you.

You spend tons of sleepless nights.

Your heart is white, your words If I am sick, you pat my head. white, your intentions are white,

Mom, I love your smile

When you laugh, there is always joy and no sadness.

You are the joy of the family, my mother.

Without you there is no happiness and no smile

Rakhmiddinova Mushtariy Ravshanovna was born on March 1, 2011 in Gulistan district, Syrdarya region. She is currently a 9th grade student. Mushtariy is interested in writing poetry, reading books, drawing, and playing sports. 

So far, she has read more than 100 books. She appeared on television in kindergarten at the age of 3 and still appears on television. In the “Bilagon Bolajon” competition, she took 2nd place in English in the 2nd grade, and 3rd place in Reading in the 4th grade. She also took 1st 2nd 3rd place in handball and was awarded with medal certificates. She is a participant in the regional stage of the “Young Book Reader Kids” competition. She takes part in many competitions and projects. In the future, she will become a sign language teacher. She is preparing to enter college.

Her dream is to make everyone proud of Mushtariy and travel abroad. She has also participated in many anthologies and webinars. Currently, she has won more than 50 books, received more than 500 thousand in cash prizes and international, official certificates. She has participated in Olympiads and won honorable places.

Preserving The Language Is Preserving the Nation

This article clearly highlights the role and importance of the native language in the life of the nation. It emphasizes that language is the most important wealth that expresses the history, culture, and spirituality of the people. It also argues that the Uzbek language has been given the status of a state language, and that its preservation and development is the duty of every citizen, and that respecting the language is interpreted as a symbol of loyalty to the nation. As a result, it is deeply expressed that preserving the language is preserving the nation. 

TILNI ASRASH – MILLATNI ASRASHDIR

Annotatsiya:  Ushbu maqolada ona tilining millat hayotidagi o‘rni va ahamiyati ochiq tarzda yoritilgan. Unda til xalqning tarixini, madaniyatini, ma’naviyatini ifodalovchi eng muhim boylik ekani ta’kidlab o‘tilgan. Shuningdek, o‘zbek tiliga davlat tili maqomi berilgani, uni asrash va rivojlantirish har bir fuqaroning burchi ekanligi fikr yuritiladi, bundan tashqari, tilni e’zozlash esa millatga sadoqat ramzi sifatida talqin etiladi. Natijada, tilni asrash – millatni asrash ekani chuqur ifodalangan.Kalit so‘zlar: Til, madaniyat, millat, ona tili, Vatan, ma’naviyat, tarix

PRÉSERVER LA LANGUE, C’EST PRÉSERVER LA NATION 

Annotation : Cet article met clairement en lumière le rôle et l’importance de la langue maternelle dans la vie de la nation. Il souligne que la langue est la richesse la plus précieuse, exprimant l’histoire, la culture et la spiritualité du peuple. Il soutient également que la langue ouzbèke a reçu le statut de langue d’État, que sa préservation et son développement sont le devoir de chaque citoyen et que le respect de la langue est interprété comme un symbole de loyauté envers la nation. Par conséquent, il est profondément exprimé que préserver la langue, c’est préserver la nation. Mots-clés : Langue, culture, nation, langue maternelle, patrie, spiritualité, histoire

Jumanazarova Zuhra Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute Student of Foreign Language and Literature +998500406125 jumanazarovaz896@gmail.com 

Keywords

Language, culture, nation, native language, Homeland, spirituality, history

Introduction

Language is the mirror of the human soul. It reflects not only the human heart but also the past, present, future, culture, and many other aspects of a nation. It is no coincidence that we call our language “mother tongue.” Therefore, we must cherish, respect, preserve, and pass it on to future generations in its purest form.

Language is considered the clothing of a person — and how beautifully one wears it depends on the individual. Some people can make even simple clothing look graceful, while for others, even the most beautiful garments lose their charm [1].

Additionally, according to Article 1 of the newly revised Constitution, “The state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan is Uzbek” [Const. Art. 1]. This is one of the significant steps on the path to independence for our country, and today the Uzbek language has become a symbol of national identity, rich heritage, and cultural values.

Main Part

Every nation has values that reflect its spiritual maturity, and one of these values is undoubtedly language. Our beautiful and rich language can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s greatest languages. Our mother tongue, with its deep historical roots and political-legal foundations, is a sacred spiritual achievement of our people. Having passed through glorious and honorable paths, enduring many storms and challenges, our national language continues to assert its grandeur and prominence as the state language.

As our President once stated, “Whoever wishes to feel the grace, charm, and power of the Uzbek language should listen to the lullabies of our gentle mothers, the thousand-year-old epics, our immortal maqoms, and the enchanting songs of our bards and singers.” [2] From these words, we can understand that language is the core of every nation’s culture. It defines the progress and future of the people, unites them, and preserves their traditions and customs. Each of us must contribute to raising the international prestige of our native language and help it join the ranks of globally recognized and developed languages.

Through language, nations preserve their cultures and traditions. Once children stop learning in their native language, that language is doomed to extinction. The great enlightener Cho‘lpon once said: “If a language disappears, the nation disappears with it.” Thus, preserving our language is our sacred duty.

If we corrupt our language by mixing it with unnecessary foreign words, it will negatively affect our thinking and damage our spirituality. It is known that during the seventy years of totalitarian rule, the Uzbek language also suffered — Russian was used as the official language of communication, education, and culture. Unfortunately, even today, there are young people who consider speaking Russian to be a sign of “culture.” Moreover, many families communicate in Russian at home, which undermines the preservation and purity of our mother tongue. Speaking in pure and fluent Uzbek is the highest form of respect for our nation [3].

 Indeed, in today’s era of rapid technological development, each of us must act as a guardian of our language. Protecting language is not only the duty of specialists and linguists but also the responsibility of every citizen of Uzbekistan. We should teach our children to read quality books in Uzbek, to use the rich vocabulary of our language, and to observe spelling rules. It is essential to promote pure and literary Uzbek in mass media and social networks. Every comment and expression reflects our attitude toward our native language.

Older generations must serve as role models for the youth in valuing language. Young people learn from the speech and behavior of their elders. Preserving language means showing respect for the past, being careful in the present, and assuming responsibility for the future. Maintaining languages means preserving the culture, customs, and traditions of a people, for the destiny of a nation is closely tied to the destiny of its language. Language unites, educates, and shapes a nation. Therefore, each of us should deeply respect our language to elevate its prestige on the international stage and ensure its rightful place among the most advanced languages of the world. 

October 21, 1989, is the day when the Uzbek language was granted the status of a state language, and since then, this date has been celebrated widely as the Day of the Uzbek Language [4]. During the ceremony dedicated to the 30th anniversary of granting the Uzbek language state status, President Sh. Mirziyoyev emphasized that “The day the Law on the State Language was adopted — October 21, 1989 — marked a powerful force uniting our people and mobilizing society toward great goals.

At the same time, it was the first decisive step toward the independence of Uzbekistan.” Indeed, granting state status to the Uzbek language was among the earliest steps toward national independence. During the years of independence, our language, like all other fields, has undergone significant progress. Its international prestige has risen considerably. The “Law on the State Language” has created broad opportunities to reveal the full beauty and expressiveness of our language and to develop it scientifically.

Scholars have published encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, and manuals. One remarkable achievement is the five-volume “Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek Language”, which includes over eighty thousand words and expressions from various fields, dialects, and areas of knowledge. The status of the Uzbek language has been legally enshrined in the Constitution, making it a sacred symbol of the state — alongside the flag, emblem, and anthem — protected by law [5].

Furthermore, every citizen of Uzbekistan, regardless of ethnicity, is free to learn foreign languages. Today, our students in preschools, general schools, and universities can speak four or five languages fluently. Children of different nationalities study together in harmony, respecting each other’s languages — and such respect fosters understanding and peace. Thus, people take pride in belonging to a nation through language.

Recognizing and respecting all languages is the foundation of peace. Every nation strives to preserve its language for this very reason.In the early 20th century, the protection and development of language also became a central concern for Jadid literature representatives. Through the efforts of enlighteners such as Ashurali Zohiriy, Avloniy, Behbudiy, and Fitrat, the Uzbek language was refined, and national grammar was established [6].

One of the most patriotic figures among them, Mahmudkho‘ja Behbudi, paid special attention to the issue of language. A true patriot and intellectual cannot ignore the fate of his language, for language is the spirit, soul, and great value of a nation. Behbudi’s linguistic ideas were closely connected with his educational and cultural reform activities. In his view, a nation must receive education and study its literary heritage in its native language for the development of national consciousness.

Conclusion

Language is the mirror of the nation and the pride of the people. To protect it means to protect our identity. When every citizen treats their mother tongue with love and respect, the power of that language grows even stronger. Therefore, loving the language and using it beautifully and correctly are the signs of a truly cultured person.

The great writer Abdulla Qodiriy once said: “The Uzbek language is not poor; those who call it poor are themselves impoverished. Let them not blame their ignorance on the Uzbek language.” These words remind us to honor and cherish our state language and recognize its true value. We must never forget that our mother tongue, like our Motherland, is sacred and dear, always deserving of attention and respect. The more we protect and preserve our native language, the more we safeguard our homeland, our state, and our families.

List of References

Jamolova. Y. https://yuz.uz/uz/news/ona-tili–millat-ruhi sayti, Toshkent: Madaniyat, 2021.Hasanov. A. Pedagogika fanlari boʻyicha falsafa doktori, dotsent – Toshkent: Yangi Oʻzbekiston, 2024.

Abdumutalibova. X. “Ona tili – millatning ruhi” – Toshkent:https://www.iiau.uz/oz/news/4269 sayti, 2025.Ismoilova.M. “Jahon minbarlarida yangrayotgan ona tilim” – Toshkent: Jahon minbarlari, 2025.

Sobirova. G.”Tilni asrash, rivojlantirish millatni yuksaltirishning muhim  omilidir “ –  Xorazm: Yuz.uz platformasi, 2023.

Lutfullayeva.D. “Tilni asrash-millatni asrash hisoblanadi”– Toshkent: Madaniyat,  2025.Wikipedia.

Mahmudxo‘ja Behbudiy. https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmudxo%CA%BBja_Behbudiy

When the wolf lurks 

When the wolf lurks 

All sheep are good 

all are innocent 

the ones to blame for their 

unfortunate lives are the others… 

But when the storm comes 

that’s when the sheepskin falls 

you only realize 

it was just a disguise… 

All the time he was by your side 

studying your movements 

immersed in the daily grind. 

Pretending to be good 

he was even lurking in the darkness of your rest… 

Thank goodness 

divine protection exists and 

protects his children 

from those with ill intentions. 

When you recognize it, 

remember: the mistakes 

committed were not yours… 

The evil of others is not your fault…

Mirta Liliana Ramírez has been a poet and writer since she was 12 years old. She has been a Cultural Manager for more than 35 years. Creator and Director of the Groups of Writers and Artists: Together for the Letters, Artescritores, MultiArt, JPL world youth, Together for the letters Uzbekistan 1 and 2. She firmly defends that culture is the key to unite all the countries of the world. She works only with his own, free and integrating projects at a world cultural level. She has created the Cultural Movement with Rastrillaje Cultural and Forming the New Cultural Belts at the local level and also from Argentina to the world.

The Bomb and the Bulb

Faces built from a material harder than plaster—

Belonged to the preachers standing beneath the flag—

That read “Delivering the Will of God”.

All of them who dealt with “God”,

Firmly believed—

That solemnity was the sharpest tool to tame the world.

Once they lost it,

Their faces would look no different,

From clowns in a circus…

They knew well what their audience loved to hear,

Just two topics:

Forgiveness and bread.

“Forgiveness” could let these people feel forever blameless,

Granting them real comfort.

“Bread” was what none of them could ever escape,

Even until death.

So their favorite line to repeat was:

“Thank ‘God’ for giving us bread.

As long as you follow us,

‘God’ will always forgive you…”

They loved to make people kneel,

Loved to see the furrowed brows,

And the slightly wet corners of people’s eyes.

They were like bus drivers,

Responsible for delivering a passenger called “God”,

Into everyone’s heart.

After that, “God” would take care of all the rest.

This passenger named “God”,

Was like the pivot of a seesaw—

The acceptable and the unacceptable

in everyday life,

Could now all be explained in plain human words:

“Because it’s the will of God,

That’s why it all exists…”

Thus the world was spared,

The fatigue and frequency of thinking.

And people were grateful to them,

For finding the most righteous excuse,

For not using their own brains!

It was a grand agreement,

As if the entire universe had shrunk,

Into the size of a button.

Then they said from the pulpit:

“‘God’ loves everyone.

When we die, we’ll go to It.

Everything good exists there—

As long as you remain servants of ‘God’.

If we could see It right now,

That would be our immediate blessing…”

At that moment,

Someone whispered a single word:

“Bomb…”

And instantly they—all of them—were terrified.

People shoved,

Scrambling with their eyes—

To find the way out.

It seemed their brains,

Unused for too long,

Had grown so dull,

They couldn’t even remember where the entrance was.

They ran faster than anyone,

The crowd following close behind—

Their speed rivaling the gazelles…

Then the culprit,

The whisperer,

Jumped up to stop the panic:

“I said ‘bulb’, not ‘bomb’.”

He pointed upward—

To a lightbulb above them.

Everyone looked and understood:

One of the bulbs in the hall,

Had simply gone out.

They sighed in relief,

And sent someone to bring the preachers back.

When they returned and learned the situation,

They too were overjoyed,

Repeating again and again:

“Let’s thank our ‘God’—

It has spared our lives.

For It once said—

Not cherishing life is itself a sin…”

Everyone laughed,

Looking toward that broken bulb—

That very direction—

Where they said “God” resided…

James Tian, Philippines 

God’s hands

A blue sky of tattered past

Of sublime wishes and never ending past

A poetic reverie of past sense

Of diamonds and opal linen sky

A two pence watch to sell for

The night sky of ever changing wishes

Of topaz and blueness at this hour

I surmise my clock to send for

God’s hands in my prayers

Of what ifs and crestfallen goodbyes

As if the sky was ablaze with midnight memories.

NAJI NAAMAN LITERARY PRIZES

2026

(24th picking season)

Naji Naaman Foundation for Gratis Culture (FGC) announced that competition for Naji Naaman literary prizes for 2026 (24th picking season) is already open. Prizes will be awarded to authors of the most emancipated literary works (in content and style) aiming to revive and develop human values.

Literary manuscripts (thoughts, poems, stories, etc.) of 40 pages at most, in all languages and dialects, typeset, with the curriculum vitae and an artistic photography of the author, should be sent to Maison Naaman pour la Culture (by e-mail: info@najinaaman.org) before the end of January 2026. Manuscripts written in languages other than English, French, Spanish or Arabic must be accompanied by a translation or résumé in one of the aforesaid languages. Prizes will be announced before the end of June 2026. Works (in full or in part) published in the free of charge prizes’ yearbook will become (only for the aforesaid publishing purpose) the property of the publishing house.

Laureates will bear the lifetime free of charge honorary title of member of Maison Naaman pour la Culture (MNAC).

PRIX LITTÉRAIRES NAJI NAAMAN

2026

(24^ème cueillette)

La Fondation Naji Naaman pour la Culture Gratuite (FCG) vient d’annoncer que le concours des prix littéraires Naji Naaman pour l’année 2026 (24^ème cueillette) est déjà lancé. Ces prix seront décernés aux auteurs des œuvres littéraires les plus émancipées des points de vue du contenu et du style, et qui visent à revivifier et développer les valeurs humaines.

Les manuscrits littéraires (pensées, poésies, contes, etc…) d’un maximum de 40 pages, de toutes langues et dialectes, composés, accompagnés du curriculum vitae et d’une photographie artistique de l’auteur, sont reçus par la Maison Naaman pour la Culture (par courriel: info@najinaaman.org) jusqu’à fin janvier 2026. Les manuscrits qui ne sont pas écrits en français, anglais, espagnol ou arabe, doivent être accompagnés d’une traduction ou d’un résumé dans l’une de ces langues. Les prix seront déclarés avant fin juin 2026 au plus tard. Les œuvres publiées (en partie ou intégralement) dans le recueil annuel gratuit des prix deviendront (à ce seul effet de publication) la propriété de la maison.

Les lauréats porteront le titre honoraire, à vie et gratis, de membre de la Maison Naaman pour la Culture.

PREMIOS LITERARIOS NAJI NAAMAN

2026

(24ª edición)

Creados en el 2002, los premios literarios Naji Naaman tienen la finalidad de premiar aquellas obras literarias más creativas desde el punto de vista del contenido y del estilo, y que desarrollen e impulsen los valores humanos.

Las obras podrán estar escritas en cualquier lengua o dialecto, si esta no fuera francés, inglés, español o árabe deberán ir acompañadas de una traducción o resumen en cualquiera de estas lenguas. La extensión de las obras (ensayo, poesia, relato, novela, etc.) serán de un máximo de 40 páginas. Los originales y en su caso la traducción, serán entregados o enviados junto al c.v. y una fotografia del autor a la dirección por e-mail (info@najinaaman.org). El plazo de entrega finalizará el último día de enero de cada año. El fallo del jurado se hará publico a más tardar el último día de junio de cada año (así como el de las obras cuya publicación será gratuita dentro de la serie literaria creada por el Señor Naaman en 1991). No se devolverán las obras presentadas y las premiadas pasarán a ser propiedad de la casa.

Los ganadores recibirán así mismo el título honorífico de miembros de la Maison Naaman pour la Culture.

جوائز ناجي نعمان الأدبيَّة 2026:

فتحُ باب التَّرَشُّح

أُعلنَ فتحُ باب التَّرشُّح لنَيل جوائز ناجي نعمان الأدبيَّة لعام 2026 (الموسمُ الرَّابع والعِشرون). وهذي الجوائزُ مُشَرَّعَة أمام الجميع، في مجالات الأدب كلِّها، وفي أربعة أصقاع العالَم، وبلغات هذا العالَم ولهجاته من دون استثناء. والمعروف أنَّها تهدفُ إلى تشجيع نشر الأعمال الأدبيَّة على نطاقٍ عالميّ، على أساس عَتق هذه الأعمال من قيود الشَّكل والمضمون، والارتقاء بها فكرًا وأسلوبًا، وتوجيهها لما فيه خير البشريَّة ورفع مستوى أنسنتها.

والجوائز غير محدَّدة لجهة العدد، وتتضمَّنُ نشرَ الأعمال الَّتي تلقى الاستِحسان والاستِحقاق في كتاب أنطولوجيا الجوائز السَّنويّ المجَّانيّ الصَّادر من ضمنَ سلسلة “الثقافة بالمجَّان”، علمًا بأنَّ الحقوقَ في تلك الأعمال تسقط، في الخصوص الأخير حَصرًا، لصالح المؤسَّسة النَّاشرة، مؤسَّسة ناجي نعمان للثَّقافة بالمجَّان.

تُقدَّمُ المخطوطات في نسخةٍ واحدة، منضَّدة، في مهلةٍ تمتدُّ حتَّى آخر شهر كانون الثاني (يناير) 2026، وتُرفَقُ بها سيرةُ المؤلِّف وصورةٌ عن بطاقة هُويَّته بالإضافة إلى صورةٍ فنِّيَّةٍ له. وفي حال كان المخطوطُ بلغةٍ غير العربيَّة أو الفرنسيَّة أو الإنكليزيَّة أو الإسبانيَّة، تُرفَقُ به ترجمتُه (أو ملخَّص عنه في صفحتَين على الأكثر) بإحدى تلك اللُغات.

تُستقبَلُ المخطوطاتُ بالبريد الإلكتروني على العنوان المذكور أدناه.

info@najinaaman.org

ويُشتَرَطُ ألاَّ يزيدَ عددُ صفحاتها على الأربعين، وألاَّ يكونَ قد سبقَ لها ونُشرَت أو حازت جوائز.

وأمَّا الإعلانُ عن الجوائز فيتمُّ قبلَ آخر حزيران (يونيو) 2026، على أن يتمَّ توزيعُها مع كتاب أنطولوجيا الجوائز في آب (أغسطس) 2026.

هذا، وينالُ حائزو الجوائز عضويَّةَ دار نعمان للثَّقافة الفخريَّة، وهي عضويَّة مجَّانيَّة ولمَدى الحياة.

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