Shavkat Mirziyoyev Reviews Islamic Civilization Center

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, one of the world’s крупнейших complexes dedicated to the study and promotion of Islamic culture and the region’s centuries-old heritage.

Speaking earlier at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017, the head of state emphasized that Islam promotes peace, kindness, and enlightenment while rejecting all forms of violence. These principles formed the foundation of the center, which focuses on the in-depth study of more than three millennia of history and the region’s contribution to global civilization.

The complex is located within the historic Hazrati Imam Complex and spans 10 hectares. The three-story building, measuring 161 by 118 meters, is crowned by a 65-meter dome, with a total floor area exceeding 42,000 square meters. By its scale, the facility is considered a potential candidate for inclusion in the Guinness World Records.

The architectural concept was developed in line with the president’s vision, with Mirziyoyev personally overseeing construction and offering recommendations on exhibition and research content. Additional instructions on infrastructure, educational programs, and museum solutions were issued during visits in 2025.

The building reflects national architectural traditions, featuring four entrance portals adorned with Quranic verses and hadiths promoting humanism and enlightenment. The underground level houses restoration and digitization laboratories, manuscript storage facilities, and visitor infrastructure. The ground floor includes a museum with approximately 8,350 square meters of exhibition space and a 550-seat conference hall, while the second floor hosts a library, research facilities, and offices of international organizations.

During the visit, the president toured the Quran Hall, regarded as the spiritual center of the complex. Beneath the dome, a holographic installation of Tashkent’s starry sky has been created using more than 650 light elements and 90 Swarovski crystals. The hall displays unique manuscripts, including the Uthman Quran, along with dozens of rare copies from the Samanid, Karakhanid, and Timurid periods.

The center’s collection includes more than 2,000 historical sources, including over 60 rare Quran manuscripts acquired at international auctions or donated. Among them are exceptional works of calligraphy from the 16th to 19th centuries, as well as earlier examples reflecting the traditions of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Herat.

The president was also presented with visitor service systems meeting international standards. All exhibits have been digitized and equipped with QR codes providing multilingual multimedia information. For the first time in the country’s museum practice, scientific attribution of exhibits has been conducted using modern laboratory methods.

Special attention has been given to inclusivity, with plans to introduce audio guides for visually impaired visitors, Bluetooth-based navigation systems, and robotic guides similar to those used in leading global museums.

The center is expected to receive up to 5,000 visitors ежедневно and will require more than 400 специалистов, with hundreds of staff and guides already engaged and materials prepared for foreign tourists.

Mirziyoyev also visited the center’s library, which spans over 3,000 square meters and houses more than 45,000 printed works and over 350,000 digital resources. Facilities include research rooms and dedicated spaces for visitors with disabilities, equipped with specialized tools and Braille materials.

A separate section is devoted to the legacy of the Jadids, featuring rare publications and archival materials. The collection continues to expand through international auctions and cooperation with private collectors.

The center also hosts an international scientific and educational platform uniting leading institutions, including ICESCO, IRCICA, and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, creating opportunities for joint research and knowledge exchange.

The exhibition features hundreds of unique artifacts acquired at Sotheby’s and Christie’s auctions or donated by patrons, including items from the Samanid, Timurid, and Mughal periods, as well as jewelry, manuscripts, architectural elements, and historical weapons.

Returned cultural assets also occupy a prominent place, including items linked to the Amu Darya Treasure, alongside rare manuscripts and artifacts provided by international researchers and collectors.

Following the tour, the president подчеркнул significance of the project as a symbol of national identity and spiritual revival, noting that the center reflects the history, culture, and intellectual heritage of the Uzbek people. He concluded the visit by signing the guestbook of the complex.