A loss in the culture and arts of Uzbekistan

A noble individual who made a worthy contribution to the preservation and promotion of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, a prominent statesman and public figure, archaeologist Zafar Hakimov passed away at the age of 82.

Zafar Abdullayevich Hakimov was born on August 14, 1942, in the city of Bukhara. He graduated from Tashkent State University in 1964. From 1964 to 1985, he worked at the Institute of Art Studies as a laboratory assistant, postgraduate student, junior researcher, senior researcher, and academic secretary.

Throughout various years, Zafar Hakimov held leadership and responsible positions in government institutions. In particular, he served as Director of the Uzbekistan Art Fund from 1985 to 1988, officer in charge of the culture department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan from 1988 to 1990, senior consultant on culture, science, and spiritual education at the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 1990 to 1992, First Deputy Minister of Culture and then Minister of Culture from 1992 to 1993, First Deputy Chairman of the Uzbekistan National Television and Radio Company from 1993 to 1995, and Chairman of the company from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he served as senior consultant for relations with public organizations in the Presidential Administration and as Chief Scientific Editor of the state scientific publishing house “Uzbekistan National Encyclopedia” from 1998 to 1999.

Since 1999, Zafar Hakimov worked as the Editor-in-Chief of the scientific-practical and educational journal “Echo from the Past,” which held significant prestige among the academic community.

From 1970 to 1979, the scholar contributed to the discovery of dozens of ancient oases and settlements in northern Afghanistan as part of the Soviet-Afghan archaeological expedition. Over the course of his career, more than 50 of his articles, monographs, and manuals dedicated to issues of history, archaeology, and architecture were published in national journals.

The late scholar also served as a member of the Republican Scientific-Expert Council under the Cultural Heritage Agency. As a master of his profession, he regularly participated in projects implemented in the field of culture. He was respected within the national archaeological and art history academic communities as an experienced, dedicated, and humble individual.

Throughout his entire career, the late Zafar Hakimov made an invaluable contribution to the development of our country’s culture and mass media. In the responsible fields of public service, he consistently served as an example through his devotion, patriotism, and high professional qualifications.

The esteemed scholar, journalist, and figure of art and culture, Zafar Hakimov, was also actively involved in the projects and activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and contributed to supporting the Center’s mission.

We express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. The noble deeds and dedicated service of Zafar Hakimov to our people and homeland will never be forgotten, his bright memory will forever live in our hearts.

The team of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan