About 16,000 Uzbek nationals out of over 17,000 listed as members of religious extremist movements "have returned to normal life", Uzbekistan 24 reported.

These figures were announced on September 1 during the meeting of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with the leadership of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, makhalla activists and representatives of government and public bodies in Khazrati Imam complex in Tashkent, where the Center for Islamic Civilization is being created.

The authorities are taking concrete measures to address the social and domestic problems of these citizens. They are being offered loans for setting up own business. About 9,500 people are already provided with jobs.

"We are all well aware that we owe all the credit for achieving these goals to You, the religious figures, people who have great esteem among the people. Thank you for this," the President of Uzbekistan said, addressing to representatives of the clergy and makhalla committees.

The 26th anniversary of independence and Kurban Hayit were marked on the same day in Uzbekistan. "The fact that these two holidays coincided is deeply symbolic. Every nation has its own holy holidays, but as we are witnessing nowadays few countries are celebrating them in peace. Therefore, we must preserve the atmosphere of harmony and mutual understanding in our country," the channel quoted the Head of state.

In his address at the Independence Day festivities, the President underlined: "We attach great importance to helping those who have been radicalized either by ignorance or lack of experience to return to normal life. We should never forget one thing: if we do not show magnanimity to such people, considering them as "bad", we will not offer them a helping hand, they will remain as rogues."