The next extended meeting of the Scientific Council took place

A recent expanded meeting of the Scientific Council was held at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

The meeting was attended by Council members, heads of working groups, and scholars such as the Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, the Director of the Abu Rayhon Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies,  Professor Bakhram Abduhalimov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Zhannat Ismailova, Director of the Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan, Umida Teshaboyeva, Academician - Akbar Khakimov, as well as the leadership and staff of the Center.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Scientific Council, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, with an introductory speech.
 

At the beginning of the meeting, it was announced that a delegation, led by the center's director, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, visited London from April 25 to May 2, 2025. During the visit, the delegation participated in the auctions of the world-famous auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s to enrich the Center of Islamic Civilization's content.
 

During the meetings held within the framework of the official trip, it was particularly noted that organizational assistance was provided by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom, Ravshan Usmanov, and embassy staff member Jasur Valiev.
 

During the official visit, the delegation participated in auctions organized by "Sotheby’s" and "Christie’s," where rare artifacts related to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage were presented, including items from the pre-Islamic period, the First and Second Renaissances, and the khanate era.
 

At the auctions in which the Center's delegation participated, examples of Indian and Islamic art were displayed, including two daggers (one with a sheath) from the Baburid era, one sword (with a sheath), and one precious dagger set.
 

— About 60 lots that were directly related to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage were selected at these auctions. Among them were 9 rare fragments and pages of the Quran, as well as 3 Quran manuscripts. In particular, one fragment of a large Quran manuscript, written by the calligrapher Umar Akta’ on the order of Amir Timur (the Boysunghur Quran), holds great significance. Moreover, at the London "Christie’s" auction, historical exhibits such as manuscripts, miniatures, and samples of folk applied art were presented, — noted the director of the Center, Firdavs Abdukhalikov.
 

Additionally, the meeting provided information on the introduction to personal collections of collectors residing in the UK, such as Ali Sarukhani, Sem Fogg, Mehmet Keskinner, Davud Shokh, and Bilal Sutchi, who hold historical values related to Uzbekistan. Agreements with representatives of the Khalili Collection were also discussed, concerning the organization of an international exhibition and negotiations with collectors regarding the delivery of these rare artifacts to Uzbekistan for the international exhibition.
 

It is particularly noteworthy that Uzbekistan is participating in such a prestigious international auction for the first time, and, according to scholars, this is a significant historical event. Members of the Scientific Council of the Center expressed their gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for providing the opportunity and warmly welcomed the successful and beneficial visit of the delegation to the United Kingdom. During the meeting, a presentation by Academician Akbar Khakimov was also taken into account, detailing the exhibits selected for the Center’s exhibition through the auctions of foreign museums.
 

Academician Akbar Khakimov emphasized that participation in such prestigious auctions brings pride and honor.
 

— The auction process was very interesting and, at the same time, exciting. The auctions presented unique and valuable artifacts related to the history and culture of Uzbekistan. We paid attention to the authenticity of the artifacts, their value, and importance to the museum. These approximately 60 exhibits could become flagship items for the Center’s exhibition, — said Akbar Khakimov.
 

The successful foreign visit of the delegation was warmly welcomed by the members of the Scientific Council. Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Zhannat Ismailova, described this visit as an important event for the history of Uzbekistan.
 

— Participation in such auctions is of immense significance for Uzbekistan. Many exhibits related to our history and culture are abroad, and they are of interest to the whole world. If we do not participate in such events, others may select our rare and valuable artifacts. I believe that the trust and tasks given by our government are being fully carried out, — said Zhannat Ismailova.
 

The director of the Abu Rayhon Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies, Professor Bakhrom Abdukhalimov, emphasized the need to increase participation in such auctions. He particularly highlighted the presence of valuable and rare books among the exhibits, such as Quran copies written during the Timurid era.
 

— We need to increase participation in selecting rare exhibits for the Center from foreign museums, which have great value for our country. After the opening of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, this work should continue. It would be appropriate to organize a special corner for displaying these exhibits at the Center, — said B. Abdukhalimov.
 

During the meeting, a presentation by Isabelle Khan, head of the company "Glasbau Hahn," was also presented, where she spoke about the creation of display cases for the Center’s exhibition. According to her, the display cases for the Center will be manufactured by "Glasbau Hahn," a company operating in Germany.


 

— Our company is nearly 200 years old. It was founded by my grandfather. To this day, the display cases are passed down from generation to generation. The display cases produced by our company hold a prestigious place in renowned museums around the world. We have also created several display cases for Uzbekistan. For the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, we are presenting modern and convenient display cases that can be moved, expanded, and adapted to different formats. We are interested in the opinions of local scholars, — said Isabelle Khan.
 

For reference: the company "Glasbau Hahn" is recognized as one of the most prestigious in the world, and according to its standards, it ranks among the top 3 global manufacturers of display cases. During the meeting, members of the Scientific Council shared suggestions and comments on ensuring the safety of rare manuscripts and preserving unique exhibits, emphasizing the importance of quality and security of the display cases. Isabelle Khan's presentation was accepted by the members of the Council.



The meeting also featured presentations on the pre-Islamic civilizations exhibition, presented by the design company "Magister Art," as well as the First Renaissance exhibition proposed by the design company "Outdoor Factory." The creation of panels for the upper part of the "Wall of Time" exhibition and the concept of creating a majestic fresco for the lobby of the conference hall in the building of the Center of Islamic Civilization were also discussed.



Majestic fresco works will be displayed on the walls of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. Attention was also given to issues related to the creation of panels for the upper part of the "Wall of Time" exhibition and the concept of creating a grand fresco for the lobby of the conference hall in the building of the Center.


 

Majestic frescoes, covering three historical periods—Pre-Islamic, the First Renaissance, and the Second Renaissance—will be displayed on the walls of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. These works are being created by renowned artists from Uzbekistan. The frescoes dedicated to the Pre-Islamic period will depict ancient states such as Ancient Sogdiana, Bactria, Chach, and ancient Ferghana, as well as the life and way of life of our ancestors from that time in the form of bas-reliefs.
 

It is also proposed to include images of maps, working tools, and landscapes corresponding to these periods. The frescoes dedicated to the First and Second Renaissances will feature great personalities such as Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmidhi, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Abu Rayhon Beruni, Bakhovuddin Naqshband, Jalaliddin Manguberdi, Amir Timur, Mirzo Ulughbek, Alisher Navoi, and Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur.



 

These frescoes in the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan will not only allow visitors to enjoy observing artifacts and exhibits, but also provide a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan through majestic images on the walls.
 

During the meeting, a new logo for the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan was presented. Various logo options were proposed to the members of the Scientific Council, from which the final design was selected. The proposed logo features the new magnificent building of the Center, with light symbolically radiating from its peak, indicating that the Center is a source of the light of Islam, science, and knowledge. The logo was approved based on the necessary practical requirements.



Around ten similar issues were discussed during the meeting.