Islamic Civilization Center Opens in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Islamic Civilization Center has been officially inaugurated in Tashkent with the participation of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The opening ceremony was combined with an iftar attended by members of the public, representatives of various religious denominations, the diplomatic corps, and international organizations. Participants from across the country also joined the event via regional studios.

Opening the ceremony, the head of state congratulated citizens on the holy month of Ramadan, noting that the country is observing it in an atmosphere of peace and stability. He emphasized that Ramadan is a time of compassion, solidarity, and good deeds. During this period, government and public institutions, including the National Agency for Social Protection, the Mahalla Association, the Waqf Foundation, and Inson centers, are providing assistance to those in need, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Medical teams are also working in remote areas, offering examinations and treatment.

According to the president, such initiatives contribute to strengthening social cohesion and mutual understanding. He stressed that in a time of global uncertainty, peace is of particular value, while the unity of the country’s population of over 38 million remains its greatest asset.

Special attention was given to the significance of the event itself — the official opening of the Islamic Civilization Center. Mirziyoyev described it as the embodiment of the aspirations of many generations and a symbol of progress in science, spirituality, and education. The complex reflects the country’s millennia-old history, cultural wealth, and the potential of modern Uzbekistan.

The initiative to establish the center, first proposed at a session of the UN General Assembly, received broad international support, particularly from the Islamic world. The project was implemented on a scientific basis with the involvement of domestic and international experts, forming a large architectural ensemble near the historic Hazrati Imam Complex.

The center presents a unified space showcasing the region’s development from the pre-Islamic period to the present day, including the Renaissance eras and the formation of New Uzbekistan. Its collections continue to expand, with more than 1,500 items added over the past year alone, including manuscripts, archaeological finds, and historical maps, some acquired at international auctions in cooperation with collectors and art dealers.

A key highlight is the Quran hall, which houses one of the world’s oldest copies — the Uthman Quran — alongside rare manuscripts from different historical periods. The center has already attracted significant interest from international visitors, including politicians, scholars, and religious figures.

The president expressed gratitude to all those involved in the project, including architects, engineers, scientists, international experts, and patrons. He noted that efforts to repatriate historical artifacts will continue, including through international research expeditions.

The center also hosts offices of leading international organizations such as ICESCO, IRCICA, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, and TURKSOY, which is expected to foster scientific collaboration. It also houses a new residence of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.

The head of state underlined that the center will serve as a key platform for education and research, including for students of the International Islamic Academy. He expressed hope that it will contribute to nurturing a new generation of scholars and thinkers.

Addressing representatives of the creative and academic community, the president called for more active use of the country’s rich historical heritage in scientific and cultural projects, promoting Uzbekistan as a land of peace, knowledge, and humanism.

Concluding his remarks, Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the center will become an international platform uniting science, culture, and spiritual values. The ceremony ended with the recitation of Quranic verses and prayers for the well-being of the country and its people.