#Uzbekistan #Tashkent #Islamic Center #Prix Avicenne

Uzbekistan's Islamic Civilization Center Receives International Accolade

The Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is set to make a grand entrance into the public life when it opens its doors in March 2026. Recently, it has been awarded the prestigious Prix Avicenne 2025, a recognition that not only underscores the center's contribution to cultural and scientific heritage but also reaffirms Uzbekistan's position as a custodian of Islamic intellectual traditions.

The award ceremony took place amidst the illustrious backdrop of the National Academy of Medicine in France, attended by distinguished scientists, historians, and specialists in Islamic heritage. The Prix Avicenne was presented to the center by prominent members of the French scientific community, emphasizing the international acknowledgment of Uzbekistan's efforts to illuminate its historical and cultural roots, particularly in relation to the influential figures in Islamic science such as Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna.

According to Firdavs Abdukhalikov, the director of the Islamic Civilization Center, this award not only highlights the project initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev but also celebrates the concerted efforts of numerous national and international experts, translators, and scholars associated with the center. "The Prix Avicenne serves as a testament to the significant cultural contributions of Central Asia to the broader narrative of global knowledge. It symbolizes a resurgence of respect and recognition for the role that our region has played in the realms of science and philosophy," Abdukhalikov remarked.

The Islamic Civilization Center is designed as a 'mega-project' aimed at restoring the intellectual legacies of great thinkers from the East, particularly the contributions of Avicenna. The establishment of this center reflects a modern interpretation of heritage studies, merging traditional scholarship with contemporary methodologies.

As a part of its mandate, the center has restored several rare manuscripts of Avicenna’s works and is actively working on reconstructing significant medical treatises. Furthermore, it is engaged in organizing international conferences that aim to spotlight the scientific contributions of Central Asian thinkers. The French academics present at the award ceremony acknowledged that the newly inaugurated exhibition at the Islamic Civilization Center elevates the research and study of Avicenna's legacy, positioning Uzbekistan as a pivotal hub for such inquiries.

The Prix Avicenne, awarded by leading French scientific bodies, recognizes outstanding achievements in both the humanities and natural sciences, alongside honoring those who actively contribute to preserving historical legacies. The decision to award the center this accolade signifies its growing importance and influence in the fields of Islamic scholarship and cultural preservation.

Strategically located near the Hazrati Imam Mosque in Tashkent—one of Uzbekistan's spiritual centers—the Islamic Civilization Center is sprawling over three stories with a magnificent dimension of 145 by 115 meters. A notable highlight of the center is the Uthman Quran, recognized as one of the world’s oldest Qur’anic manuscripts, featured in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

The center encompasses a main exhibition space of approximately 15,000 square meters, accompanied by research facilities, digitization laboratories, and a library boasting over 200,000 unique volumes. This ambitious project not only showcases rare artifacts obtained from international auctions and private collections but also presents comprehensive collections from museums across the globe and from the WOSCU initiative, dedicated to the preservation of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage.

Apart from historical artifacts, the Islamic Civilization Center offers interactive exhibitions that dive into groundbreaking advancements in algebra, astronomy, and medicine, representing some of the most important discoveries from the Golden Age of Islam. The center aims to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of Central Asia's intellectual contributions to the world.

With such ambitious plans and international recognition, the Islamic Civilization Center is not only a beacon for local heritage but also a vital contributor to the global discourse on Islamic culture and science. Its upcoming launch is highly anticipated, promising to be a significant milestone for Tashkent and the promotion of Islamic scholarship worldwide.