I mean, there is a clear evidence to that, in the year 1000 Muslim Middle east was the wealthiest region on the planet, accounting for 10% of global GDP. In fact, the largest European city of the time, was also islamic - Cordoba al andeles, the present day Spain. It proves that religion has never been a problem, but misusing it, manipulating it and misinterpreting it is. There are many factors to why Middle East is poor, this includes bad geography, poor social and economic systems, poor political systems, failing legal and social institutions, failing to catch up with industrialism, dutch disease, tribalism, nepotism, bureaucracy - you name it. But religion was NOT one of the causes, is NOT one, and can never be one if handled and used as a guide properly.

(such complex topics are probably hard to comprehend for people here, who mostly follow to know more about FLEX or know me personally but it’s just what I understood by watching videos and documentaries about middle easy and its economic turmoil)

One interesting observation I have made is that even though many people from other countries, especially in the US don’t know what Uzbekistan is, when you tell them it is in Central Asia, they immediately come to a conclusion that it is a muslim country. That is not true. Even many exchange students introduce Uzbekistan as a Muslim country. However, there is a difference between a country in which a majority of population are muslims and a muslim country. It is true that Islam is the most common religion in Uzbekistan but it is a secular country.
A secular country is a separation of church/mosque and state, meaning you can believe in whatever religion you want but when it comes to politics or managing the people’s affairs, it will be taken care of a select few individuals at the top.
So I wanted to talk about secularism. So what it does that it gives power to control nations by few individuals. When this power lands on those few individuals, they use their human bias and personal interest to control the masses and benefit their own selves most.
And another question rises - how did secularism become widely accepted if it is so evil?
It all goes back about 400 years ago in the west. When the church was at the top of the nation, there was so much oppression, division, violence and political tyranny. Women weren’t even deemed human, slavery was the rampant and people were killed simply for speaking up. It was not because Christianity is wrong or anything like that but it was because those Elites manipulated religion for their own benefit and justified their actions by falsely interpreting the Bible. The average civilian was enslaved by the elites because “God instructed it”. It was the case for decades and people got sick and for that secularism emerged as a solution to dissociate the Church and a State. And since people were so desperate for change and relief, it quickly overthrew the old oppressive church system. And ever since it has been dominating ideology in the west. Admittedly, secularism did ease the problems of people but those few on top had never prioritized the interests of civilians.

Let’s now talk about the Muslim world. How did secularism gain popularity in the east ? Again, in the 8th century, just like the church was the head of the states in the west, so was the Islam in the east. Unlike the church states, Islamic state was far from oppression, humanity experience unprecedented peace , progress and prosperity. In fact, many neighboring nations sent letters asking to be liberated and joined the Islamic state willingly. Even Christians as well as jews lived peacefully in our lands. They were allowed to judge their own affairs using their own books and their own laws. The Muslims were at the forefront of knowledge - they founded algebra, created irrigation system, pioneered science and they literally had too much money because of the purity of the economic system. The most important thing was that unlike the west women were not oppressed. In fact, the very first university in the world was founded by the Muslim woman. (Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya founded the world's first university in 895 CE in Fez, which is now in Morocco).

As the Islamic state expanded into the west, this put immense pressure on the secular puppet masters. And they realize that if they didn’t do anything about it, then it would be the end for them. So the waged an intellectual war on the Muslims. In 1924 The Islamic State was dissolved and the systems and governments that run out countries today are puppet systems put in place but those who are on top in the secular west. That’s why there has not been a single Islamic country for almost a 100 years. If we were to reflect on the effect of secularism for these past decades, we can get answers to all the questions. Most importantly for me is why the middle east is always out of order and poor. The world refers to Middle eastern countries as poor and islamically dominant. These two things aren’t relevant to each other.

Tips on how to survive your exchange year with a host family from a professional. a.k.a. a guide not for beginners.????

- Firstly, the period of adaptation may take a while, you will need to get used to a new place, new people and even new pets. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, just try to be yourself. In the beginning you can ask them questions about them, get them know better. Observe what they usually do during the day, what each family member likes to do in their free time, what they like to eat and try to find the things that you have in common. You can tell them what you would like to try in America, new foods like Chipotle, go to Target, play pickleball (a very fun game that has been gaining popularity in the states lately).

In the beginning it may seem that you may not fit in, they may have rules that you aren’t used to, you might have some conflicts. Try to solve the problems you face, don’t try to run away from them and cry to your coordinator about changing your family. Every family has its own problems, rules, you just need to abide by them. Just because you don’t like a certain rule doesn’t mean you need to change your family. At the end of the day, those very problems will make you a great leader in the future when you eventually solve them.

Never lie! They are more experienced than you are and they know better. Admit if you have made a mistake, don’t be afraid to bear the consequences of your own actions. Even if you think you can get away with a lie, it may not happen all the time, if they catch you lying, you will have lost their trust forever.

Always be responsible! Be on time. When they tell you that you are going out, be ready at least 5 minutes earlier and help them carry their stuff to the car.

Be initiative. You can prepare a cultural meal for them, teach them national dances and board games, show them our traditions, tell them stories about Uzbekistan, about our weddings, national holidays etc.

Always show that you are grateful. You can buy your host mom a flower at Walmart or any other store, bring them national snacks, t-shirts, purses, bags that represent Uzbekistan. Buy them their favorite snacks or candy, offer to help them around the house. It doesn’t always have to be something bought at the store, you can even make a small thank you postcard and they will appreciate it.

Keep your room and bathroom clean. This is pretty much self explanatory, never make your room look like as if a bomb has been exploded there. Additionally I would add that you should also clean up after yourself in the kitchen and after dinner, take everybody’s plates, when you drink something, put your cup in the dishwasher. Help around the house by doing chores, like taking out trash. If they come home with a full truck of groceries, help them get them all in.

Don’t be afraid to turn to them whenever you need help, whether you need help with your homework, checking essays, problems at school, or to find some volunteering opportunities for you, they will always try to help you.

Do not bring up religious and political topics. Never talk bad fiercely about any race or religion. Don’t ask them if they are democrats or republicans or any other personal questions. People usually don’t openly talk about their political views. So always be mindful of what you are asking about.

I hope it’ll make your life way easier because I wish someone had told me this before my exchange year. Но у вас есть Я, кто все по полочкам все разложил для вас. I hope all of you have a wonderful time in the states, don’t forget to return back home after a year though?.

If you want to share or repost it, feel free!??

Life is better when you realize not every little thing is in your control.

Life is better when you realize everything happens for a reason and you are meant to be there, where you are.

Life is better, when you choose your peace over pain.

Life is better when you are grateful for what you have.

Life is better when you are kind to others. (Everyone you meet is going through something difficult and fighting a battle you don’t know about. Be kind to everyone)

Life is better when you stop gossiping and pouring your energy into other people’s lives.

Life is better when you accept the reality and stop complaining.

Life is better when you let go of the past and move on.

Life is better when you stop letting others take you for granted/disrespect you.

Do you want to have some volunteering hours?
Do you want to help kids from underprivileged families?
Then, contact me @itsnotslh asap.
Thanks!!!

**Вещи, которые я осознал за (почти) год вдали от Родины и дома.

Уехать за границу ≠ выйти из зоны комфорта и зоны роста.** Зона роста начинается внутри нас. Если вы каждый год обещаете себе вставать в 5 утра, прочитать 100 книг за год, заниматься спортом и при этом не делаете никаких усилий и не меняете в себе ничего, так и ничего не изменится даже если вы измените место проживания. Вместо того, чтобы винить обстоятельства, страну, государство, нужно делать маленькие шаги, чтобы изменить свою жизнь там, где вы находитесь.

Люди везде одинаковые, вне зависимости от того, в какой точке мира они живут. Многие люди в Узбекистане и в странах СНГ считают, что жизнь говно только в их стране. А вот в Европе или в Америке солнце ярче, трава зеленее и небо голубее. Как говорится хорошо там, где нас нет. Но у людей всегда одни и те же заботы - учеба, работа, ипотека, коммуналка и налоги. Какая бы страна ни была - четверть жизни рядового гражданина уйдет на образование, вторая половина это работа на дядю в костюме с галстуком, старость, пенсия и смерть.

До того как я прилетел в США, я думал, что я быстро заведу новых друзей, познакомлюсь со всеми в школе и буду каждый день ходить с ними в разные места. Когда я прибыл здесь один на некоторое время, то понял, что не все так совсем работает. Я осознал, что тут каждый сам за себя. Но это не значит, что это что-то плохое. Нужно понять, что не обязательно пытаться сдружиться с каждым встречным, чтобы чувствовать себя удовлетворенным. Желание быстро завести новых друзей это просто реакция нашего мозга на такие резкие изменения за короткий срок, чтобы заполнить эту пустоту внутри, отвлечься или загасить homesickness. Но со временем ко мне пришло осознание, что нужно выбирать себе окружение с умом, с кем вы искренне чувствуете себя по-настоящему собой и не пытаетесь понравиться или как-то унизить себя «ведь перед вами - американец». Вообще, для меня абсурдно, когда люди идеализируют Америку и американцев. Всегда кринжую от таких, кто пытается американизироваться и изменить своим принципам и ценностям. Нужно всегда оставаться самим собой и не потерять себя.

Идеальной страны не существует, везде есть свои плюсы так же минусы - с людьми также. У меня здесь друзей не много, точнее всего 1, но лучше иметь одного человека рядом с собой, с которым можно и в ресторан сходить и душевно пообщаться или просто рандомно решиться пробежаться 5 километров (ну и конечно ходить в зал вдвоем в 5 утра?).

Это не значит, что нужно избегать новых знакомств и сидеть в уголке, а просто нужно быть осторожным и не открываться сразу людям и доверять. Некоторые люди могут использовать ваши слова против вас и распускать слухи. Главное - избегать людей, с которыми общение состоит из 99% обсуждения и сплетен.

То, что люди сплетничают, это не говорит ни капли о том, какой я человек на самом деле. Это отражение их же самих неуверенности и проблемы с головой. Это знак насколько жалкие и несчастные они внутри.

Я понял как важно приоритизировать ментальное и физическое здоровье. Нужно всегда стараться быть осознанным как ты ведешь себя с компанией людей, с новыми людьми и выбирать людей, которые будут вас окружать, с умом. Также важно быть физически активным, заниматься спортом и поддерживать себя в форме. Умение приоритизировать себя и делать правильные выборы, которые будут отражаться на ваше будущеe это самая большая инвестиция в себя и знак уважения и любви к себе.

Когда кто-то говорит что я не смогу достичь чего-то или я «размечтался», то это ни капли не отражает того, на что я способен. Это предел этих же людей. Они знают, что сами не осмелятся на такое , поэтому не хотят чтобы кто-то другой смог того, чего они никогда не осмелятся.

Я начал ценить отношение со своей семьей и близкими мне людьми. Вдали от дома ты осознаешь что многие люди, которых ты считал друзьями забудут про тебя. И это нормально. Люди приходят и уходят. Каждый человек в нашей жизни - это путеводитель и опыт на некоторое время.Каждый человек играет важную роль в нашей жизни и помогает сформировать нашу лучшую версию себя.

FLEX students participating in the Civic Education Workshop were invited to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, DC.
? Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the U.S. Furqat Sidiqov says:
"Grateful for the opportunity to meet with @FLEXProgram students from Uzbekistan currently studying at high schools in #California, #Ohio, #Oklahoma, #Indiana, #Iowa & #Pennsylvania. Huge gratitude to @AC_Global for organizing this invaluable academic year in the United States." @ambassador_furqat_sidiqov
? #FLEXProgram #FLEXUzbekistan #CivicEducation #EmbassyUzbekistan

Any volunteering activity counts

@akramjon_io