Uzbekistan message to Russia: ‘Learn Uzbek Turkish’

Uzbekistan’s Deputy Speaker of the Uzbekistan Supreme Assembly Alisir Kadirov responds to Russia’s statement by insisting that ‘everyone should learn Uzbek Turkish’

Deputy Speaker of the Uzbekistan Supreme Assembly Alisir Kadirov responded to a statement by Speaker of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, who said, “Everyone should learn Russian.” Kadırov countered, saying, “All ethnic groups in Uzbekistan should learn Uzbek Turkish.”

Turkic nations continue to respond to Russia’s authoritarian stance, which prioritizes the Russian language, by taking the necessary steps and expressing their discontent.

Previously, Volodin had stated that people coming from Turkic states to Russia should know the Russian language. Kadırov strongly criticized Volodin’s remarks.

In a May 14, 2024 speech at parliament, Kadirov emphasized, “Certainly, those who will work and live in Russia need to know the Russian language. However, Russians living and working in Uzbekistan should also learn Uzbek Turkish.”

Kadirov also stated that all ethnicities living in Uzbekistan should know the Uzbek language, saying, “In addition to creating conditions for citizens of other ethnicities to learn their mother tongues and values in kindergarten and primary education, Uzbek Turkish should also be mandated as a language in our laws.”

In his speech, Kadirov emphasized the importance of not only preventing individuals who do not know Uzbek Turkish from working in public service but also ensuring that they cannot benefit from public services.

Source: Newsroom