#Cultural Heritage #Uzbekistan #Tashkent #Islamic Civilization

International Experts Meet in Uzbekistan for Cultural Landmark Review

This week, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, is playing host to an impressive assembly of over 200 international experts as they convene to assess the progress of a groundbreaking cultural project: the Center for Islamic Civilization (CIC). This new establishment, driven by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's vision, aims to preserve, evaluate, and promote the rich heritage of Islamic civilization.

Among the attendees are representatives from prestigious organizations including the International Research Center for Islamic Culture and the World Islamic League, alongside scholars from national libraries, universities like Oxford, and leading institutions that aim to explore and elevate the Islamic narrative. Their discussions, which span two days from September 26 to 27, will center around the ambitious scope of the CIC, which is poised to become a beacon of enlightenment and cultural dialogue in the region.

President Mirziyoyev has expressed hope that this institution will stand as a testament to the values of goodness, humanism, and enlightenment intrinsic to the Islamic faith. In his recent address at the UN General Assembly, he emphasized the importance of a culture rooted in tolerance and understanding, reflecting Uzbekistan's commitment to sharing its rich history and heritage with the world.

The CIC will occupy a significant location near Tashkent's historic Hazrati Imam, housing the Uthman Quran, one of the oldest known Quranic manuscripts recognized by UNESCO. The structure, set beneath a grand 65-meter dome, will inspire visitors as they journey through its unique galleries—each devoted to illuminating different epochs of Islamic history.

Thematic Galleries

The museum will feature four central galleries:

1. Pre-Islamic Heritage: This exhibition showcases the early civilizations of Khwarezm and Sogdiana, crafted to explore the development of urbanization and metallurgical practices from the 6th century BC.

2. The First Renaissance: Focusing on the flourishing ages from the 8th to 13th centuries, this gallery highlights the contributions of numerous scholars like al-Khwarizmi and Ibn Sina, who were pivotal in advancing fields such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Their legacies have profoundly influenced modern science and thought.

3. The Second Renaissance: The subsequent Timurid era will come alive via a reconstruction of Ulugh Beg’s observatory, spotlighting the period's outstanding contributions and reestablishing Samarkand's reputation as an intellectual hub of the Muslim world.

4. Modern New Uzbekistan: This section will present a vision for Uzbekistan’s future, intertwining its historical significance with contemporary socio-political developments, underlining interfaith dialogue and sustainable education initiatives pursued by the current government.

The CIC is also set to feature an extensive collection of artifacts that have been repatriated under Uzbekistan’s cultural return initiative. Recent acquisitions include fragments of 9th-century Kufic Qurans, Timurid ceramics, and manuscripts of renowned scholars—items that highlight the depth of the region’s cultural history.

During the summer months, a significant recovery of Seljuk jewelry from an auction house in London underscored the importance of restoring national heritage. With these treasures displayed alongside culturally significant literature and artifacts belonging to historical figures like Babur, the CIC promises to foster a revived sense of pride and identity for Uzbekistan.

Educational Initiatives

The CIC will not only honor the past but also serve present educational needs by housing a digital archive of scholarly materials, a library, and restoration laboratories. One of its highlights will be a children's museum—the first of its kind in the region—designed to engage younger audiences through interactive learning experiences that animate the lives and contributions of great Islamic thinkers.

According to Firdavs Abdukhalikov, the Center’s Director-General, the vision for the CIC is to position Uzbekistan among the world's top cultural institutions akin to the Louvre or the Smithsonian. It aims to become not just a museum, but a living center of research and dialogue where history converges with modern educational practices. The commitment to investing in education and culture, which President Mirziyoyev first articulated at the United Nations in 2017, continues to resonate as a guiding philosophy for this transformative project.

As Uzbekistan prepares for the grand opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization, it stands on the threshold of significant cultural renaissance. The CIC is envisioned to inspire generations, inviting both local and international communities to explore the profound narratives and innovative legacies that Islamic civilization has contributed to the tapestry of world history.