The Uzbek and Afghan peoples have centuries-old ties of friendship and brotherhood. The great science and spiritual heritage of our great ancestors and prominent intellectuals, who are equally revered by both nations, is a shining example of this.
As the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev mentioned: “For over the span of millennia the people of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan developed in one culture and civilization space. Since the ancient times, the people have been residing on both banks of Amudarya River. They share similarity of languages, common sacred religion and spiritual values. Amudarya River has always been a source of life for us, but never a barrier for a free movement of people, development of close trade ties, exchange with scientific achievements and mutual enrichment of cultures.
Such outstanding representative of the Central Asian Renaissance as Abu Raihan Beruniy, Lutfiy, Alisher Navoiy, Kamoliddin Bekhzod, Zakhiriddin Muhammad Al-Babur, Boborakhim Mashrab and many others – our great ancestors lived and created in the Afghan land”. Among such great poets, it is noticeable that the marvellous achievements in the field of science of great intellectual, Khushhal Khan Khattak play important role in developing literature. On April 5, 2022 in Tashkent, in collaboration with the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Friendship Society, professors and students of the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, as well as Educational Center for training afghan citizens in Termez, Surkhandarya, a literary event entitled “Khushhal Khan Khattak – the great Afghan pushtu poet” was held. The event was opened by the chairman of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Friendship Society, Abdurahim Mannonov and he gave precious information on activities and creative works of Khushhal Khan Khattak, his invaluable contribution to Afghan literature and his masterpieces.
Afterwards, Afghan students studying in Termez recited poems by Khushhal Khan Khattak. Attendees also enjoyed a traditional music played on an Afghan dutar by Abdulkadir Ghairat, a student at Educational Center for training afghan citizens. Besides this, the students of the University of Oriental Studies deliver a recitation of the most wonderful masterpieces of Khushhal Baba’s literary heritage in Pashto and Dari. The students’ performance in the “Atan” dance was especially well received by the audience.
Indeed, a great Afghan pushtu poet, writer and statesman, Khushhal Khan Khattak is a testament to the compatibility of intimate history of not only Afghanistan, but also other nations of the region. Therefore, an in-depth study of the heritage of writers such as Khushhal Khan Baba, organizing literary events and various creative meetings dedicated to their work will significantly develop the centuries-old spiritual, educational and literary cooperation between the Uzbek and Afghan people.
Suhrob Buranov
Member of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Friendship Society,
PhD in Political Science
Khushhal Khan Khattak – the great Afghan poet
