TASHKENT: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan officially opened the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent on Tuesday.
The ceremony, combined with an iftar, brought together public figures, religious leaders, diplomats, international organizations and people from across the country.
The president described the new center — proposed by Uzbekistan at the UN General Assembly and built with broad international support — as a symbol of scientific, spiritual and educational progress.
Located near the historic Hazrati Imam Complex, it traces the region’s history from pre-Islamic times to modern Uzbekistan. A key highlight is the Qur’an Hall which houses one of the world’s oldest copies — the Uthman Quran, which stands as the center’s crown jewel and most revered historical treasure.
The collections have grown rapidly, with over 1,500 new items added in the past year including manuscripts, archaeological finds and historical maps.
The facility hosts the offices of international organizations including the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, and the International Organization of Turkic Culture, as well as the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.
The president thanked all involved and reaffirmed efforts to repatriate historical artifacts. He said he hoped the center would become a leading hub for education, scholarship and promotion of peace, knowledge and humanism.
The event concluded with Qur’anic recitations and prayers for the nation’s prosperity.
Last year saw Saudi Arabia present a piece of the holy Kaaba’s Kiswa to the center, handed to the president by Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah at the directive of King Salman. The fragment has been placed at the center as a token of goodwill and strengthening ties between the two nations.
