Delegation at the Center for Islamic Civilization. Photo courtesy of the Center’s press service.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazroui, along with their delegations, visited Uzbekistan’s Center for Islamic Civilization, according to the Center’s press service.
Their visit followed participation in a ceremony marking the commissioning of new energy capacities and infrastructure facilities, as well as the launch of additional projects in Tashkent, and a meeting with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The guests were introduced to the Center’s activities, museum exhibitions, rare manuscripts and artifacts, and the advanced museum technologies used throughout the complex.
“As soon as I saw this building, I immediately felt how truly remarkable it is. A very beautiful, very rich complex. It relates not only to the history of Uzbekistan but also to our shared history. Our peoples are brothers; we have common roots, and our languages and religions are close. That is why every exhibit and every artifact here feels familiar to us. Most importantly, it is clear that through this Center you successfully present the ancient and rich culture of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and all Turkic peoples,” said Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov.
He also expressed support for the Center’s research activities, its international cooperation programs, and efforts to strengthen cultural ties among Turkic states.
“It is a great honor for us to welcome you to the Center for Islamic Civilization, created on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Our Center aims to gather in one place the shared heritage of all Turkic peoples and present it to the world. We thank you for your high appreciation of our exhibition and for your sincere words,” said the Center’s director, Firdavs Abduhalikov.
Minister Suhail Al Mazroui described the Center as “a priceless creative achievement” and “a mirror of a country that values its history.”
“The great civilization of Uzbekistan and the scientific heritage preserved in this Center captivate anyone who visits. The Center pays significant attention not only to the Islamic era but also to earlier cultural layers. It offers a comprehensive and vivid presentation of the substantial contributions made by Uzbek scholars to various fields of science. For this priceless creative work, I express my deep respect to the President and the people of Uzbekistan. This Center is a mirror of a country that treasures its past and strives to pass it on with dignity to future generations,” Al Mazroui stated.
The Center for Islamic Civilization is located in Tashkent near the Hast-Imam complex. Designed in the style of medieval architectural monuments, the building features four portals, each 34 meters high, and a central dome reaching 65 meters. It includes a Quran Hall, a 460-seat conference hall, and a museum whose exhibitions encompass the full history of Uzbekistan — from pre-Islamic times to the present. The Center serves as a hub for studying the heritage of the region and reinterpreting it in collaboration with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and educational and research institutions worldwide.
