Page 201 - The Winter of Islam and the Spring to Come

HARUN YAHYA (ADNAN OKTAR)
199

cles that have installed
themselves inside the
Uzbek administration
are trying to influence KAZAKHSTAN
Mr. Kerimov with vari-
UZBEKISTAN
ous tricks and
strategems. TURKMENISTAN

TADJIKISTAN
Pressure on AFGHANISTAN

Muslims in
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has
been struggling with do-
mestic problems for
years. The country's economy is in a serious recession and the public
are facing grave shortages. The Kerimov administration, which refuses
to allow even the most moderate opposition breathing space, is follow-
ing the path of increasing these problems instead of settling them. 48
If Islam Kerimov follows a moderate policy of allowing differing
opinions to be expressed in the country, there is no doubt that this will
be right road, not only for the Uzbek people but also for his own rule.
Yet he has preferred to go for harsh measures. The country's prisons
currently hold more than 50,000 people as a result of his oppressive
policies. After bombs exploded in city centers, the Uzbek administra-
tion had thousands of people arrested nationwide, identified everyone
with religious sympathies as a terrorist, and established an administra-
tion that completely ignores human rights and freedoms. Yet this policy
of oppression actually encouraged fighting instead of preventing it, and
ended up strengthening the opposition. In order for Uzbekistan to
enjoy peace and stability, it is essential for dialogue to be established be-
tween the Kerimov administration and the opposition, and for the op-
position to pursue a moderate policy to that end.