Firdavs Abdukhalikov at the opening ceremony of the forum. Photo: Center for Islamic Civilization press service
The opening ceremony of the forum “Heritage of the Great Past — Foundation of an Enlightened Future” took place on September 26 in the conference hall of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, with the participation of members of the Center’s International Expert Council.
The event began with a video presentation about the creation of the Center. In his welcoming remarks, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, director of the Center, highlighted the importance of the occasion and introduced the forum’s program.
“As President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, it is necessary not only to preserve sources of knowledge as monuments but also to communicate them in clear language to our people, especially to the younger generation, and to promote them widely in the international community. This center should not only tell the story of the past but also serve as an intellectual hub linking history, the present, and the future, helping define the main directions of our development. The head of state’s idea that ‘a person who visits the Center will see history with his own eyes and understand that Islam is above all a religion of peace, development, and tolerance, and will also recognize the great contribution of the Uzbek people to world civilization’ also determines the meaning and essence of the work carried out here,” Abdukhalikov said.
He noted that the Center cooperates with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the international research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, and Imam Maturidi. A School of Calligraphy and a national commission for selecting ancient and priceless artifacts for the Center’s collections have also been established.
“More than 500 renowned specialists from the leading museums, libraries, and universities of our country have been engaged in the commission’s work. Over 1,500 historical exhibits, manuscripts, archaeological finds, documents, and photographs have been identified in national collections for inclusion in the Center’s exhibitions. The building of the international School of Calligraphy has been constructed and is being equipped with the necessary facilities, with prominent calligraphers and highly qualified experts from Uzbekistan and abroad involved in its work,” Abdukhalikov explained.
A special commission has also been created to identify, study, and acquire cultural heritage “gems” connected to Uzbekistan that are located abroad.
“In recent years, we have examined more than 50 libraries, museums, and private collections in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Russia, and other countries. In particular, study trips by groups of scholars and researchers to the United Kingdom proved very productive. More than 580 historical items were acquired at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, as well as from private collectors, galleries, and art dealers. It should be noted that the government allocated substantial funds to bring these priceless artifacts back to our homeland,” the head of the Center said.
After the official part of the ceremony, participants toured the Center and later joined ten thematic sections devoted to the Center’s museum projects. The first day’s program also included a visit to the Alisher Navoi Palace of Cinema.
The two-day forum “Heritage of the Great Past — Foundation of an Enlightened Future” was organized at the initiative of President Mirziyoyev. More than 200 scholars and experts from over 20 countries are taking part. Among the contributors are representatives of national and international academic institutions, including TURKSOY, ISESCO, IRCICA, and Al-Furqan. The event is being covered by over ten international media outlets, including Euronews, Al Jazeera, and Mir.
The Center for Islamic Civilization was built in the Uzbek capital next to the Khast-Imam complex. Its architecture reflects the style of medieval monuments, with four portals 34 meters high and a central dome rising 65 meters. The building houses a Quran Hall, a 460-seat conference hall, and a museum whose exhibitions will cover the entire history of Uzbekistan — from pre-Islamic times to the present. The Center is designed as a platform for studying and reinterpreting the legacy of past generations in cooperation with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and educational and research institutions worldwide.
