Uzbekistan Recognized as Asia’s Leader for Number of Islamic Historical Cities on UNESCO List

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Republic of Uzbekistan has been officially recognized by ASIA Records as the Asian country with the largest number of Islamic historical cities included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The certificate ceremony took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with representatives from the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek Embassy in Malaysia in attendance.

According to ASIA Records, the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Shakhrisabz in Uzbekistan are officially recognized as Islamic historical cities by UNESCO. This distinction underscores Uzbekistan’s status as one of the most significant and well-preserved centers of Islamic civilization in Asia.

For centuries, Uzbekistan, situated at the heart of the Great Silk Road, has served as a crossroads of cultures, scientific thought, and spiritual traditions of the Islamic world.

The country’s historical cities have preserved authentic examples of Islamic architecture and urban planning, including mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, and fully integrated architectural ensembles. Particularly valuable is the preservation of the entire historical environment, where the heritage object is not a single monument but the cityscape in its entirety.

In addition to its rich architectural heritage, Uzbekistan remains a major center for pilgrimage and cultural tourism. Key sites attracting visitors worldwide include the Khast-Imam complex in Tashkent, the Imam al-Bukhari mausoleum in Samarkand, the Bahauddin Naqshband and Chashmai Ayub ensembles in Bukhara, and the Islamic monuments of Termez.

Receiving the ASIA Records award on the international stage affirms Uzbekistan’s leadership in preserving, developing, and promoting Islamic historical heritage, as well as its universal cultural value for the global community.