Essay from Qurbonboyeva Dilafruz Sherimmatovna and Andaqulova Mohinur Juraqulovna

Qurut-traditional dried dairy product of Asian Countries

Talibjanova Aziza Lutfullayevna

 The teacher of UzSWLU

talibjanovaaziza@gmail.com

Qurbonboyeva Dilafruz Sherimmatovna

dilafruzqurbonboyeva99@gmail.com

Andaqulova Mohinur Juraqulovna

mohinurandaqulova8@gmail.com

Abstract

This article provides detailed information about Qurut, one of the favorite foods of Asian people. At the same time, its history, benefits and preparation process are also included in the article. It contains information about which diseases the substances and vitamins in Qurut prevent and treat.

Key words: Qurut, yogurt, vitamins, dairy products, preparation process, benefits.

Aбстракт

В этой статье представлена ​​подробная информация о Куруте, одном из любимых блюд азиатских народов. В то же время в статью также включены его история, преимущества и процесс приготовления. Содержит информацию о том, какие заболевания предупреждают и лечат вещества и витамины, содержащиеся в куруте.

Ключевые слова: Курут, йогурт, витамины, молочные продукты, процесс приготовления, польза.

Abstrakt

Ushbu maqolada  Osiyo xalqlarining sevimli yeguliklaridan biri bo‘lgan Qurut haqida  batafsil ma’lumotlar beriladi. Shu bilan birga  uning tarixi, foydalari va tayyorlanish jarayoni ham maqoladan o‘rin olgan. Unda Qurut tarkibidagi moddalar, vitaminlar aynan qaysi kasalliklarning oldini olishi va davolashi haqida ma’lumotlar mavjud.

Kalit so‘zlar:Qurut, yogurt, vitaminlar, sut mahsulotlari, tayyorlanish jarayoni, foydalari.

Qurut has long been a favorite food of Asian countries. Qurut was prepared from them to prevent dairy products from quickly becoming unfit for consumption.

Qurut in an easy-to-carry form and saved themselves from hunger during long walks. One of the 13th century, Qurut served as the main food for Genghis Khan’s soldiers. Those who prepared main reasons for the spread of Qurut  is the Great Silk Road. It is rich in  proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins (A, B2, B6, D, E), salts, and probiotics. Nomadic Turkish people in particular prepared it for winter supplies and for pastoral life. In the

 Preparation process:

1. Milk is boiled at 90-100 degrees for 15-20 minutes and cooled to 40-45 degrees.

 2. Yogurt (2-3 percent) is added to milk and a mass is formed over time.

 3. Mass it is waved, and butter and  ayran(buttermilk) are obtained. After the separation of the serum, a thick mass is formed.

4.The ayran(ayran is liquid that is produced when yogurt is waved ) is boiled about 10 minutes at 90-100 degrees.

5. Boiled ayran is putted in a bag and seperated from the whey.

6. After that process, a thick mass is formed.

7. Salt, spicy according to taste, various greens, including basil, jambil are added to the mass and made into a round shape. it is mostly round, but sometimes it can be square, cylinder and billiard ball size.

 8. The dried Qurut is dried in the sun for 2-3 days with gauze on top. The dried Qurut is placed in special bags. This product can be stored at any temperature for up to 8 years, during this period it does not lose its quality.

 Benefits. The small size of Qurut is very useful for human life. It contains many substances that increase the human immune system. These are: vitamins B2, D, E, A. Vitamin B2 – it strengthens memory, increases resistance to stress and fatigue, improves attention and thinking, helps fight depression, acts as a source of energy for the brain to function properly. Vitamin D – it plays an important role in the treatment of cancer. It prevents rickets (softening and deformation of bones), which is especially common in young children. In addition, the vitamin A it contains improves vision, protects the body from viruses and bacteria, prevents colds and other diseases. It maintains skin and hair health, strengthens bones and teeth, and improves intestinal and stomach function. The iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium it contains help children grow taller, prevent blood clots in damaged areas, and repair dead cells. Since it is high in salt, it is recommended to drink water after eating it.

 Uses:

  • Can be crushed into soups.
  • Can be used to make a drink from qurut.
  • Can be eaten as a snack.
  • Can be added to salads and pasta.

  Qurut is mainly widespread in Asia. Therefore, it is called differently in different countries of Asia. For example, in Uzbekistan it is called qurut, in Tajikistan kashk or qurut, in Turkmenistan gurt, in Iran kashk, in Kyrgyzstan kurut, in Kazakhstan kurt. In addition, it is used for various purposes. For example, in Uzbekistan it is added to chalob, masatava, soups and salads. In Tajikistan it is used for kashk-o-bodonjan, osh and soups. In Turkmenistan it is eaten with gurt dishes, that is, soups and meat dishes, as well as tea. In Iran, dishes such as ash-e-reshteh, kashk-e-kadoo and kashk-e-bademjan are prepared with qurut. In Kyrgyzstan, chalap, lagman, besh barg, etc. are also eaten with qurut. In Kazakhstan, it is drunk with tea, added to meat soups.

Sometimes it can be eaten crushed with bread. In Afghanistan, ashak is eaten with qurut sauce, mantu is eaten with qurut mixture, and kashk-e-badenjan is eaten with qurut solution.Qurut is mainly widespread in Asia. Therefore, it is called differently in different countries of Asia. For example, in Uzbekistan it is called qurut, in Tajikistan kashk or qurut, in Turkmenistan gurt, in Iran kashk, in Kyrgyzstan kurut, in Kazakhstan kurt. In addition, it is used for various purposes. For example, in Uzbekistan it is added to chalob, masatava, soups and salads. In Tajikistan it is used for kashk-o-bodonjan, osh and soups. In Turkmenistan it is eaten with gurt dishes, that is, soups and meat dishes, as well as tea. In Iran, dishes such as ash-e-reshteh, kashk-e-kadoo and kashk-e-bademjan are prepared with qurut. In Kyrgyzstan, chalap, lagman, besh barg, etc. are also eaten with qurut. In Kazakhstan, it is drunk with tea, added to meat soups. Sometimes it can be eaten crushed with bread.

In Afghanistan, ashak is eaten with qurut sauce, mantu is eaten with qurut mixture, and kashk-e-badenjan is eaten with qurut solution. Qurut is mainly widespread in Asia. Therefore, it is called differently in different countries of Asia. For example, in Uzbekistan it is called qurut, in Tajikistan kashk or qurut, in Turkmenistan gurt, in Iran kashk, in Kyrgyzstan kurut, in Kazakhstan kurt. In addition, it is used for various purposes. For example, in Uzbekistan it is added to chalob, masatava, soups and salads. In Tajikistan it is used for kashk-o-bodonjan, osh and soups. In Turkmenistan it is eaten with gurt dishes, that is, soups and meat dishes, as well as tea. In Iran, dishes such as ash-e-reshteh, kashk-e-kadoo and kashk-e-bademjan are prepared with qurut. In Kyrgyzstan, chalap, lagman, besh barg, etc. are also eaten with qurut. In Kazakhstan, it is drunk with tea, added to meat soups. Sometimes it can be eaten crushed with bread. In Afghanistan, ashak is eaten with qurut sauce, mantu is eaten with qurut mixture, and kashk-e-badenjan is eaten with qurut solution.

Prices also vary: in Uzbekistan, the average price is 60,000 soums per 1 kg. In Kyrgyzstan, it is 100-120 soums per 1 kg. In Kazakhstan, it is about 600-800 tenge per 1 kg. In Russia, since this product is an imported product, the price can be around 300-400 rubles per 1 kg. In the USA and European countries, it is an exotic product and costs $ 10-15 per 1 kg. These are all average approximate prices.

Qurut is also produced in various ways in the economy. For example, traditional dry food production, that is, the preparation process is mainly carried out manually, and sometimes in small craft enterprises. In industry, the dry food production process is carried out in drying workshops, that is, using special technological equipment. Dry food is mainly produced in flat or powdered form and packaged and taken to the market. Dry food chips, dry sauces and spices, energy bars are products made from dry food. Exporting dry food to the international arena includes stages such as packaging, quality control inspection and certification.

Conclusion. Qurut is one of the ancient foods and it still retains its importance in Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, etc.). Although it is small in size, it is a dairy product that contains many benefits. At the same time, it allows you to have full strength during long trips. Because it was difficult to carry other dairy products, including yogurt, milk, etc. in good quality during trips, but Qurut is an exception. Ancient nomadic people wanted to carry quality dairy products with them during their trips, and as a result, they invented Qurut, which has a long shelf life. Currently, Qurut is among the most popular products in the world.

References:

  1.   Aigerm Tuganbay, Amin Y.,Per E.J.S,” Production of kurut(kurt) using probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG strain in combination with a yeast isolated from Kazakhstan kurut”, Frontiers in  Food Science  and Technology 2, 2022
  2.  Erturk B., B Incedayi, Omer U.C, “Traditional dairy product:kurut “, 2016 .
  3. “O‘zbek  Milliy ensiklopediyasi”, 398 pg
  4. https://sg.docworkspace.com/d/sIBWttLuQAoXHgL4G?sa=601.1131
  5. https://www.trtavaz.com.tr/haber/uzb/avrasyadan/markaziy-osiyoda-sevib-istemol-qilinadigan-qurut/61ab386f01a30a0888930a27

Poetry from Zeboxon Akmalova

Two Central Asian women, one with a mostly black headscarf, black blouse, and black coat, and the other in a blue vest and top stand in a meeting room next to a computer screen.

Mom and dad

Were in a meeting with my dad 

Today he was in a car with me 

The other night he said that

The guy who is in charge is 

The Man and that the man 

The Woman who was the man 

The Girl is a woman is the 

The Woman that was born 

The Man was a man who had 

I never heard of before 

I had to look up the 

The New York album on 

I just saw that and it 

Was a good even song 

I just didn’t like it 

I don’t know what 

I was going to 

I was just thinking of 

I don’t have any more of those 

Akmalova Zeboxon Akobirxon qizi is an Alfraganus University Psychology 2 course student.

Essay from Aytuvova Khurshida

Central Asian woman looking off to the left, with dark hair and a designer sweatshirt with sparkles.

Reforms in education

 At each stage of development, education appears as an important factor determining the socio-economic and cultural development of society. In the 21st century, global competition, technological progress and changes in the labor market created the need for a deep reform of the education system. In this article, the relevance of reforms in the education system, their main directions and results are widely covered.

Today, the pace of economic and technological processes on a global scale requires reconsideration of education not only as a system providing theoretical knowledge, but as a system of training specialists with the ability to think creatively and innovatively. The following factors determine the need for educational reforms: 1. Increasing global competition In the conditions of the digital economy, it is important for countries to increase the competitiveness of personnel. For this, the content of education should be adapted to modern technologies and scientific achievements.

2. Impact of technological innovations Digital technologies have a serious impact not only on the economy, but also on education. Distance learning, online platforms, and artificial intelligence-based educational tools are opening up new opportunities. 3. Ensuring social stability The issue of equality and inclusiveness in education appears as one of the main factors in ensuring stability and well-being in society. Every citizen should have the right to quality education.

Socio-economic impact of educational reforms If the reforms are implemented effectively, they will positively change not only the education system itself, but also the entire society. The following results are expected: 1. Development of human capital Qualified and creative personnel contribute to the innovative development of society. This is an important condition for ensuring economic stability. 2. Increasing social equality The creation of equal opportunities for all levels of education reduces social conflicts in society and increases well-being. 3. Increasing national competitiveness Quality changes in education increase the country’s economic and cultural influence in the international arena.

Aytuvova Khurshida was born on June 5, 2002 in Saykhunabad district of Syrdarya region. She graduated from Gulistan State University, Faculty of Philology, majoring in Russian. Official delegate of several forums, member of international organizations, Global Education Ambassador, SPSC ambassador. He is a member of the “Juntos por las Letras” international writer’s association of Argentina. His creative works have appeared in international newspapers and magazines. Also, his stories were published in the national anthology “Languages of Creativity” and in the republican magazine “Creators”. Currently, he is a Russian language teacher at school.

Essay from Farangiz Xurramova

Differences in Sentence Structure between Uzbek and French

                      Xurramova Farangiz Xoshimjon qizi

    1 st- year student of the Faculty of Roman-German Philology, Samarkand

              State Institute of Foreign Languages

Abstract:  French and Uzbek belong to different language families, and their sentence structures differ significantly. Uzbek is an agglutinative language (words are formed through affixes ), whereas French is a fusional language (word forms change depending on grammatical function). This article provides a comparative analysis of sentence structures in these two languages, focusing on word order , the role of the verb, syntactic structure and methods of sentence connection. In Uzbek, the standard word order follows the SOV (Subject – Object- Verb ) structure, whereas in French, it follows the SVO (Subject – Verb- Object) structure. Additionally, verb tenses and subject agreement in Uzbek are indicated through affixes, while in French , verb conjugation plays are crucial role. This article also examines  sentence formation in both languages and their influence on the learning process of Uzbek and French.

Keywords: Language family, group, connection, methods, affixes, sentence components, French, Uzbek, subject, predicate, main parts, verb.

Language are classified into families based on their origin, structure and certain lexical and grammatical features. Each languages family consists of multiple languages, which are further divided into branches or subgroups based on their similarity. The degree of similarity among languages varies within these subgroups. For example, the Turkic language family includes Uzbek, Uighur, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Tuvan, Tatar, Bashkir, Turkmen, Azerbaijani, Turkish, Gagauz and Chuvash, among others, making up over 20 languages. French, on the other hand, belongs to the Romance subgroup of the Indo-European language family.

Word Formation in Uzbek and French:

In Uzbek, words are formed using two primary methods:

1.Affixation (Morphological method) – new words are created using derivational affixes.

Examples:

kitob + xon > kitobxon ( reader)

yosh + lar > yoshlar ( youth)

2.Composition (Compounding  method)- new words are formed by combining two or more words.

Examples:

mehnat + sevar > mehnatsevar (hardworking )

 tosh + baqa > toshbaqa (turtle)

French employs four main word – formation methods:

1.Derivation (Affixation method)- new words are formed by adding prefixes, suffixes or infixes.

Examples:

heure (hour)> horaire (schedule)

content( happy)> mécontent (unhappy)

2.Composition (Compounding method)- new words are created by combining two or more words.

Examples:

porte ( door)+ feuille ( leaf)>portefeuille ( wallet, document folder)

garde(guard)+ robe (clothing)> garde- robe ( wardrobe, closet)

3.Truncation(Clipping method)- new  words are formed by shortening existing words.

Examples:

cinématographe > cinéma

télévision >télé

4.Siglaison (Acronym formation)- new words are created by shortening phrases or word combinations.

Examples:

SNCF( Société National des Chemins de fer Français – National Society of French Railways)

OVNI ( Objet Volant Non Identifié – Unidentified Flying Object, UFO)

Sentence Structure in Uzbek and French

The number of sentence components in Uzbek and French is the same. Subject, predicate, object, modifier and complement exist in both languages. However, their syntactic positions withing a sentence vary. Uzbek word order is relatively flexible, while French follows a more rigid structure. In Uzbek, sentence components do not all hold equal significance withing sentence construction. Some components play a central role, while others serve a supplementary function. The presence of main components is essential for understanding a sentence, while secondary components provide additional details.

Uzbek sentence components are classified into two groups:

Main components ( Subject and predicate )

Secondary components ( Modifiers, complements and objects)

In Uzbek predicate is considered the most important component and can sometimes function independently. Additional components may provide extra meaning, but the core sentence remains understandable without them.

French sentence, on the other hand, rely on a fixed word order for meaning. The subject- predicate structure is crucial and most sentence require a verb to express a complete thought. Unlike Uzbek, where certain elements may be omitted in speech or writing, French grammar necessitates explicit usage of essential components.In both spoken and written forms, Uzbek allows for more variation in sentence structure, which can be used stylistically in literature to reflect a character’s speech or emotions.

Examples:

Uzbek; Do’stim pirog tayyorladi.( My friend made a cake )

French;Mon ami a préparé un gàteau. (My friend prepared a cake )

In Uzbek, the subject can sometimes be omitted if it is clear from the context. However, in French, a subject is almost always required for grammatical correctness.

Verbs in Uzbek and French

Verbs in both languages play a central role in sentence construction. Verbs express action, state or relation and are classified into grammatical categories.

French and Uzbek verbs fall into two primary categories:

1.Action verbs

2.State verbs

Despite belonging to different language families, Uzbek and French share similarities in how verbs function. Both languages distinguish between finite and non- finite verb forms and use auxiliary verbs to indicate tense and aspect.

However, there are significant syntactic differences;

Uzbek has free word order, through SOV(Subject – Object – Verb )is preferred.

French has a fixed word order, typically SVO (Subject – Verb – Object )

Examples:

Uzbek: Men kitob o’qiyapman. (I am reading a book )

French: Je lis un livre. ( I am reading a book )

French verbs are highly inflected, with different conjugations for tense, personand mood. In contrast, Uzbek verbs use suffixes and auxiliary elements to express similar grammatical distinctions.

Sentence Structure and Word connection in Uzbek and French

In Uzbek, words are often connected through suffixes.

Examples:

Uzbek: Men maktabga bordim.( I went to school )

French: Je vais à l’école. (I go to school)

In French, words  are connected through prepositions and stress- based structures rather than suffixes.

Verb Conjugation in Uzbek and French

In French, verb tenses and forms change based on the subject and tense.

Example:

Lire ( to read  ) > Il lit ( He reads ), Ila lu ( He has read)

In Uzbek, tense and subject agreement are formed though suffixes.

Examples:

O’qimoq > o’qidi( He read), o’qiyapman (I am reading ), o’qigan ( Has read )

Interrogative Sentence Formation

French questions are formed using inversion or Est- ce que?

Examples:

French: Tu lis un livre. ( You are reading a book )

Est – ce que tu lis un livre? ( Are you reading a book? )

In Uzbek, questions are formed by word order changes or question markers.

Examples:

Kitob o’qiyapsanmi? ( Are you reading a book? )

 Complex and Compound Sentences

 French complex sentences are formed using connectors.

Examples:

Il est venu parce qu’il voulait te voir.

(He came because he wanted to see you).

In Uzbek, compound sentences are mainly formed using conjunctions or verb forms.

Examples:

U keldi, chunki u seni ko’rmoqchi edi.

(He came because he wanted to  see you )

Word Order in Uzbek and French

In Uzbek, word order is flexible and words are mostly connected through suffixes.

In French, word order is strict, with words connected using prepositions and articles.

Possessive Structures

Uzbek: Talabaning kitobi > talaba + ning+ kitob +i ( The student’s book )

French : Le livre de l’étudiant ( The book of the student )

Adjective placement

Uzbek: Adjectives come before the noun (e.g.,yangi  kitob _new book )

French: Adjectives usually  come after the noun ( e.g.,un livre difficile _a difficult book)

Some adjectives, however, come before the noun (e.g., un bel homme_a handsome man)

Prepositions and Object Placement

In Uzbek, objects come after the verb.

Example: Men kitobni o’qiyapman.( I am reading a book)

In French, objects come before the verb.

Examples: Je lis un livre. ( I am reading a book)

Verb and Infinitive Structures

Uzbek: Verbs are conjugated with auxiliaries or suffixes.

Example: Men kitob o’qimoqchiman.( I want to read a book)

French: Infinitives are used after conjugated verbs.

Example: Je veux lire un livre .( I want to read a book )

Question Formation and Negation

In Uzbek, suffixes and word order are the main tools for forming questions and negations.

In French, prepositions, word order and auxiliary words are used.

Negation in Uzbek and French

In Uzbek, negation is formed using auxiliary words such as ,, emas’’ , ,, yo’q’’  or the negative form of the verb.

Examples:

,,emas’’ ( not) > This book is not new. ( Bu kitob yangi emas.)

,, yo’q’’( no) > I am not going.( Men bormayman.)

 Negative verb form > He does not read the book. ( U kitob o’qimaydi.)

In French, negation is formed using ,, ne… pas’’ around the verb.

Examples:

Je ne mange pas.( I don’t  eat.)

Il n’est pas étudiant. ( He isn’t a student.)

In linguistic analysis, ’’ne… pas’’ are two elements that surround the verb. In informal speech, ’’ne’’ is sometimes dropped.

Example: Mais je sais pas. ( But I don’t know.)

Formation of Interrogative Sentences in Uzbek and French

In Uzbek, questions can be formed using the following methods:

Questions word:  Whose book is this? (Bu kitob kimniki?)

Questions particle: ( -mi?, -chi? ) Did you come? ( Sen keldingmi?)

Intonation- based question: Do you know French? ( Siz  fransuz tilini bilasiz?)

In French, questionsare formed using:

,,Est – ce que “: Est- ce que tu parles français?

Inversion: Parles -tu français?

Linguistically, “ Est – ce que “ is widely used in spoken French, while inversion is more common in formal speech.

Types of Complex Sentences Uzbek in French

In Uzbek, complex sentences are categorized as follows:

1.Compound sentences ( connected by conjunctions) >

I came and saw you. ( Men keldim va seni ko’rdim.)

2.Asyndetic (without conjunctions) compound sentences >

The weather is very hot, people seek shade. ( Havo juda issiq, odamlar soyaga qochishmoqda.)

3.Subordinate clauses ( dependent on the main  clause )

If you come, we will start. ( Agar u kelsa, biz boshlaymiz.)

In French, complex sentences are classified into three types:

1.Coordination (linked sentences)

Je suis venu et j’ai vu. (I came and I saw.)

2.Juxtaposition (sentences placed side by side without a conjunction)

Il fait chaud, les gens cherchent de l’ombre. (The weather is very hot, people seek shade.)

3.Subordination ( one clause depends on another)

Si elle vient, nous commencerons.( If she comes, we will start.)

Linguistic Analysis

In Uzbek, complex sentences are formed using  conjunctions or asyndetic structures.

In French, complex sentences use commas, conjunctions and subordinate clauses.

In conclusion,, Uzbek and French share both syntactic similarities and differences:

Similarities: Both languages follow specific grammatical rules for sentence construction.

Differences: Uzbek grammar is more suffix- based, with verb modifications playing a key role.

French grammar relies on verb conjugations, prepositions and auxiliary words to form complex sentences.

These structural similarities and differences require grammatical adaptation when learning both languages.

References:

1. Asadov T. Research and Development of  Word  Formation in the Uzbek Language.

2. Abdurahmonov X. Analytical Grammar of the Uzbek Language .

3. Muhiddinova X. Modern Uzbek  Literature.

4. Jo’rayeva M. (2024). Sentence Structure in French and Uzbek.

5. Yusupova M. (2022). Verb Categories in French and Uzbek Languages.

6. Polvonova M. (2023). The Usage of Action in French and Uzbek.

7. Wikipedia.

Short story from Murodullayeva Makharram

Young Uzbek woman in a pink headscarf standing under a cherry tree with pink blossoms on a sunny day.

A DREAM COME TRUE

On a winter’s day, Mubina gazed out the window, lost in thought. She dreamt beautiful dreams, pondering how to achieve her aspirations. A sudden creak broke her reverie. The door opened, and her mother entered. Her mother switched off the lights, preparing for rest, and settled into bed. In the darkness, Mubina still tried to visualize the Kaaba.

It was the night between Thursday and Friday. Listlessly, she went to her place, picked up a picture of the Kaaba, and wept as she gazed at it. She yearned with all her heart to visit Allah’s house on Earth. Careful not to let her mother hear her sobs, Mubina wiped away her tears and quietly slipped into bed, closing her eyes. Sleep evaded her at first. After a while, her eyelids began to droop.

Suddenly, a light fell upon Mubina’s face. She opened her eyes to find herself in a vast expanse. The surroundings were breathtakingly beautiful. The natural phenomena were captivating. Mubina’s wonder grew, for on one side, a radiant light dazzled the eye, while on the other, rain gently fell. Curious to know where she was, she noticed something in the distance.

Mubina slowly walked towards the object visible amidst the dark clouds. As she looked, she could hardly believe her eyes. There, before her, stood the Kaaba. The immense, jet-black Kaaba, adorned with gold embroidery, was the object of her deepest desires. She circumambulated the Kaaba, and as she prayed, she suddenly awoke.

She found herself in her own bed, in her own home. Mubina realized she had been dreaming. Overcome with joy, she wept. Even in a dream, her cherished wish had come true.

Rounded building full of windows, Uzbek high school.

Murodullayeva Makharram Rustam qizi was born on March 31,2003, in the Narpay district of the Samarkand region.

Poetry from Murodullayev Umidjon

Central Asian teen boy in a serious school uniform, black suit and tie with gold designs draws geometric designs at a table.

WHO IS A FRIEND?

Just yesterday, I saw a question posed,

Asking for a definition of true friends.

I paused, lost in thought, considering my response,

Six letters came to mind, a word so grand.

What qualities define a genuine friend?

The question pierced my heart, sharp and profound.

Then, with sincere hope, I could finally contend,

A pure heart, noble intentions, all around.

In times of hardship, a true friend will seek,

To offer solace, a companion’s embrace.

Words fail to capture the qualities we speak,

The kind of comrade humanity would embrace.

I haven’t found what my heart truly desires,

A true friend, a figure like parents so dear.

This longing within my soul still transpires,

For a bond so strong, a friend always near.

Murodullayev Umidjon Rustam o’g’li was born on November 2,2006,in the Narpay district of the Samarkand region.

He is currently a student of Tashkent State of Transport University.

Short story from Ismigul Nizomova

Photo of a Central Asian woman with long dark hair, brown jacket, and dark patterned blouse inside a school ID with gold colors on a black and brown background.

Nizomova Ismigul Zarif qizi, Shakhrisabz State Pedagogical Institute Master’s student

Meeting

       Eyes meet.  The boy smiles at the girl.  The girl noticed it.  His heart began to beat as if it had burst out of its sheath.  He slowly looked at the ground and asked permission from his companion.

      Wow, man was created and he is destined to descend into a place of testing called the world.  Man’s life, love, career and even death is a test.  Only the Almighty knows the greatness and smallness of the trial and the level of his servant in the presence of God.  But love was not a simple test either.  It was a great test.  It was a hard test.  It was a test that every lover could not bear and could not receive his love.  It was a test of pure love, similar to the test of Yusuf and Zulaikha.  This is what the girl thought (she realized it when she grew up).   Thinking about it, the girl was at a loss for words.  He looked only into the eyes of the man in front of him.  He looked into the eyes of his beloved Suigani, the one he couldn’t forget even after years, the one he hoped to be together in heaven after the separation of the world.  The eyes in front of him smiled.  The girl couldn’t laugh.  The feelings are confused.

How must she feel, poor girl?  He didn’t notice as he walked out of his office.  What if we worked on the same team, if our gazes met every day.  He didn’t even know how he stopped the car with such thoughts in his head.  He cried on the way.  From the window of the car, she admired the beauty of the countryside in her youth, where she dreamed of going as a bride when she grew up.  But no such luck.   I wish it were as beautiful as this scene!  Sometimes ordinary eyes are not enough to notice beauty.  To realize the truth of beauty, besides two eyes, one also needs sight, that is, the eye of the heart.

Among the people of our time, those eyes are a blessing given only to the beloved of Allah.  “We didn’t get it,” the girl read.  ‘Well, I was young, but he is a man.  Are you happy now?  Is the world beautiful without me for the man who once said the world is beautiful with me?

      A few years ago, the girl noticed that the hardships, aches and pains in her heart began to affect not only her soul, but her body as well.  He realized this again when he looked in the mirror in his room.  Complaining of fever, headache, insomnia, he began to cry again in his dark room.  Complaining to anyone.  There is a reward for the pains that were not told to the mother.  This girl has pains and sorrows that she has not even told her mother about.  How can she tell her mother that the one love of her life, the God-given love of her life, has re-entered her life and begun to affect her feelings?

      No! No! I can’t tell her.  She records the sounds of her heart in her journal.  She seals it to make it easier for her.  Why is he smiling at me?  Or laughing at me?  Why was I surrounded by incomprehensible feelings: sadness, humiliation, crying, deceit?

      I was someone who loved, fought and lost.  That’s all.  I confessed.  My goal is near the valley of loneliness.  He loves me as his slave.

      Years later, she realized  That the only one she should trust, love, rely on and tell of her suffering was Allah.  Now, as always, she remembered a verse of her favorite song, “They don’t call him a rich man, he has no country, for he’s a piece of heart.”  “Yes, I have no country to my liking.  I must keep this wealth and riches pure and prepare to meet God who created me, loved me, made me love, tested me, blessed me and made me dearer than all.” 

“In sha Allah, the trials of life will one day end.  The answers to the exam will be tested.  And we will be victorious.  Our meeting will be beautiful.  Because you saved your money, I kept my love in my heart pure, and because I was able to laugh in this life even if it was hard.  My liquid!  Go and enjoy the ocean of knowledge, your students.  I said: “Allah.  I have a sea of patience.  With wishes for a beautiful meeting,” said the girl, entrusting her beloved to God, and went to sleep.