Russian scholar: “I witnessed the harmony of civilizations”

Tatiana Yemelyanenko, Doctor of Historical Sciences and leading researcher at the Russian Museum of Ethnography, shared her impressions of her visit to the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

“A year ago, there were only construction sites here, dust, and unfinished walls. Today — it is a beautiful and magnificent sight! These transformations have been a true miracle for me”, she said.

According to the scholar, such a center showcasing Islamic culture is of great importance not only for Uzbekistan but also for the global community.

“Here, the finest aspects of Islamic culture are gathered. I especially appreciated that the exhibition begins with the pre-Islamic period and demonstrates the harmony of civilizations. This is a very correct approach”, Yemelyanenko noted.

She emphasized that the Center did not simply take exhibits from local museums but acquired them specifically, which makes its collection even more valuable. Furthermore, the integration of modern interactive solutions with the exhibits could serve as an example for museum specialists in Russia.

“I have never seen such a level of harmony before. My deepest gratitude to all the creators”, the scholar concluded.

It should be recalled that on September 26–27 this year, the Center for Islamic Civilization hosted the prestigious international forum “The Legacy of the Great Past — the Basis of an Enlightened Future.” The forum brought together more than 100 experts — scholars, researchers, museum and library directors, and heritage specialists from over 20 countries.

Leading international institutions — IRCICA, ICESCO, TURKSOY, the World Islamic League, Oxford University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Christie’s — participated with lectures, analyses, and recommendations.

At the forum, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s initiatives to preserve the true humanistic essence of Islam and to promote intercultural dialogue received high recognition from the international community.

Importantly, within the framework of the forum, 10 thematic panel sessions were held at the Center. They covered a wide range of topics, including the Qur’an Hall, pre-Islamic civilizations, scientific progress, the Renaissance periods, museum and library work, digitization technologies, and issues of international academic cooperation.