In recent years, colonial powers and foreign companies have shown a sharp increase in interest in Uzbekistan's gold, uranium, tungsten, molybdenum, lithium, and other strategic minerals. Various agreements, investment projects, and cooperation mechanisms are being established in this area with the United States, China, Japan, Britain, France, and Canada.

We emphasize that this process cannot be viewed as simply a matter of ordinary investment or foreign trade. Strategic minerals are not just ordinary export commodities of the country; they are resources that affect Uzbekistan's economic and technological future, its strategic security, and the wealth of future generations. Therefore, we declare our unequivocal position:

First: Uzbekistan's strategic minerals must be viewed as resources that cannot be privatized under any circumstances, and the Uzbek regime should not use them as a means to meet foreign countries' raw material needs.

Second: Any investment or agreement must be evaluated first and foremost from the Shariah perspective, that is, in terms of what is permissible (halal) and forbidden (haram), and its potential economic and social benefits for the people. Merely allowing the introduction of "investment" does not necessarily guarantee the people's well-being.

Third: Priority must be given to processing strategic mineral resources within Uzbekistan itself, establishing industrial chains, and retaining added value within the country, rather than exporting them as raw materials.

Fourth: Foreign companies or colonial powers must never be allowed to impose decisive, long-term control over mines and strategic resources. We have not forgotten that the 45-year production-sharing agreements signed with the Russian companies Gazprom and Lukoil regarding gas—the Uzbek people's precious underground resource—were one of the political mistakes of the Karimov era, the consequences of which the people continue to suffer today.

Fifth: All contracts related to strategic mines concluded to date must be disclosed to the public, including the size of the resources allocated, the shares of the state and investors, the distribution of revenues, and export obligations.

Whether it is Russia, China, America, Japan, or European countries, including colonial powers like Britain and France, none of them will manage these natural resources for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan. Therefore, from an Islamic perspective, we repeatedly emphasize that these agreements and resources, which affect the public interest, should not be viewed as ordinary commercial commodities. Accordingly, the Muslims' right to any resources considered public property must be the paramount issue. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: «الْمُسْلِمُونَ شُرَكَاءُ فِي ثَلَاثٍ: فِي الْكَلَأِ وَالْمَاءِ وَالنَّارِ»“Muslims are partners in three things: pasture, water, and fire.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud).

The standard for managing natural resources is not the interest of the foreign investor, but rather their expenditure should be for the benefit of the people, based on the rules of Islam. This should be considered the fundamental issue on the agenda. It is no secret that handing over the Ummah's wealth to its enemies is, in political terms, either shortsighted or suicidal.

Therefore, Uzbekistan's underground and surface resources are not merely ordinary resources to be depleted according to the whims of the current generation, but rather a trust of the people and future generations. Accordingly, the Ummah's wealth must be harnessed solely for the needs and prosperity of the people. If your aim is to appease the West by offering the Ummah's natural resources to its enemies at the lowest prices, do not forget what Trump said about Ibn Salman, who has far surpassed you in serving the West and has spent the Ummah's wealth on America and Britain without restraint! The Wise and All-Knowing One has warned you:

[وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ]

“Never will the Jews or Christians be pleased with you, until you follow their faith” [TMQ Al-Baqara: 120].

Therefore, spend these blessings in the right place, fulfill the Ummah's rights fairly among its people, and establish an industry of weapons and equipment necessary to deter the enemy. Then you will not empower your enemy to become stronger, but you will increase your people's strength and wealth. Allah (swt) says:

[وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ]

“Prepare against them what you ˹believers˺ can of ˹military˺ power and cavalry to deter Allah’s enemies and your enemies” [TMQ Al-Anfal: 60].