Priceless treasures of Islamic heritage are on the verge of their historic return to Uzbekistan after being showcased in London

An important cultural event took place in London: for the first time in the United Kingdom, a collection of rare Qur’an manuscripts and historical artifacts related to Uzbekistan’s history and the golden ages of Islamic civilization was exhibited. These sacred treasures, long preserved in private collections and museums, are now returning to their homeland - Uzbekistan.

The exhibitions, hosted by the world-renowned auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s, are part of a large-scale project initiated in 2017 by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during his address to the UN General Assembly, which proposed the establishment of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted by national and international experts to locate and identify lost cultural heritage.

The two exhibitions in London, presenting these artifacts to the international public for the first time, were attended by leading scholars, experts, specialists, representatives of famous museums and libraries, and collectors.

“By advancing the initiative of creating the Center of Islamic Civilization, the President of Uzbekistan is personally leading its realization. This broad project, implemented on his direct instruction, is dedicated to returning historical and spiritual treasures to their homeland. It is not only the return of artifacts, but the restoration of memory, national identity, and recognition of Uzbekistan’s unique role in preserving Islamic heritage”, said Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization, during the exhibition’s opening ceremony.

Among the rare artifacts on display were Qur’an manuscript pages from the 9th to 13th centuries, miniatures, fine jewelry, household items, textiles, and works of art, all of which highlight Uzbekistan as one of the major intellectual centers of the world.

“These exhibitions are a significant cultural event realized through the personal initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. They are designed to inspire the younger generation. Practical values such as the return of heritage form a strong foundation for cultural renaissance”, said Sali Shahsivari, Director of the Al-Furqan foundation in the UK.

Many of the exhibited artifacts were acquired during Sotheby’s and Christie’s auctions in 2025 as part of the Center’s activities.

Benedict Carter, Sotheby’s representative for Eastern heritage, remarked:

“It is a great honor for us to cooperate with the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. We are pleased to have contributed to the return of monuments of particular significance in the history of Central Asia to their homeland”.

The Center of Islamic Civilization, currently under construction in the heart of Tashkent on an area of more than 10 hectares, is becoming one of the largest cultural and educational institutions in the region. Its exhibition space will exceed 8,000 square meters, and it will include five thematic galleries:

• The Qur’an Hall
• Pre-Islamic Heritage
• The First and Second Renaissances
• New Uzbekistan

Ravshan Usmonov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the UK, emphasized:

“Today Uzbekistan is making enormous efforts to restore and preserve its historical heritage. Initiatives such as the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent are vital steps in this direction. Soon it will open its doors as a beacon of knowledge and interfaith dialogue. It is a reflection of our aspiration to understand and proudly present our historical identity”.

The London exhibitions thus became not only a major cultural event but also a manifestation of historical justice. The artifacts displayed reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s place as an intellectual hub of the Islamic world and demonstrated New Uzbekistan’s ongoing achievements in preserving, studying, and promoting its cultural and historical heritage.