Secretary general of the Muslim World League: "The uzbek president's commitment to culture and enlightenment is a model for all muslim countries"

    A meeting was held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between the Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, and the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa. This visit and meeting were conducted at the invitation of the Muslim World League. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Saudi Arabia, Nodir Turgunov, also participated in the event.

    During the friendly and sincere meeting, the Director of the Center shared detailed information about the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, which is being established on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He spoke about the activities being carried out within the framework of the Center, including its scientific and organizational endeavors.

    “Uzbekistan possesses a rich legacy in Islamic sciences, jurisprudence, and hadith studies,” noted Sheikh Al-Issa. “The region has produced prominent scholars, great jurists, hadith experts, thinkers, and art connoisseurs. The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan plays a key role in highlighting the significance and relevance of this heritage to the Islamic world. Thanks to this country's renowned scholars, the true essence of Islamic civilization — especially its values of humanism and tolerance — has been preserved to this day. This mega project is of fundamental importance in introducing this valuable heritage to the international community. On behalf of the Muslim World League, we fully support these efforts. The Uzbek President’s attention to culture and enlightenment serves as a model for all Muslim nations. We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the Center,” emphasized Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa.

    During the meeting, Sheikh Al-Issa expressed great interest in the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan, especially the initiatives of the Center of Islamic Civilization, and praised the various planned events and programs. He emphasized the significance of the Center’s official opening ceremony. At this point, Sheikh Al-Issa quoted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speech at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly:

“We consider it our most important task to convey to the global community the true humanistic essence of Islam. We deeply value our sacred religion as a reflection of our eternal values. Islam calls us to goodness and peace, and to preserve true human virtues. The activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization are aligned with this mission.”

    Sheikh Al-Issa also reaffirmed that the Muslim World League fully supports this significant initiative advanced by the President of Uzbekistan from the UN podium.

    The Director of the Center announced that, under the President’s initiative, an Arab-Islamic Calligraphy School is being established within the Center. Sheikh Al-Issa wholeheartedly supported this project, stating:

“Through this new school—part of the New Uzbekistan initiative—it would be appropriate to transcribe every surah of the Holy Qur’an by hand in a special Arabic script, enriched with decorative elements,” he proposed. “We are ready to fully cooperate in launching the activities of the future Arab-Islamic Calligraphy School in Uzbekistan. This includes inviting renowned global calligraphy experts, motivating calligraphers, and contributing to the school’s development and effective functioning.”

    As part of the visit, the delegation visited several cultural and religious landmarks in Mecca and Medina, including the Hira Cultural District, the Revelation Museum, the Burj al-Sa'ah Museum, the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kaaba Kiswa, the “Buston” Museum in Medina, the Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, as well as the Museum and Library of Islamic Art in Jeddah. They also held discussions on future cooperation.

    During visits to these museums and libraries, the delegation considered the possibility of acquiring video materials depicting the life and activities of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to present them at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

    Furthermore, discussions were held on creating favorable conditions for visitors to the newly constructed Imam Bukhari Complex in Samarkand, established on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. To benefit from Saudi Arabia’s experience in this area, a meeting was held with Shakir Salah al-Adwani, Head of the Events and Conferences Department of the Muslim World League. During the conversation, it was noted that one of Saudi Arabia’s leading organizations, “Elm,” is ready to assist with this matter. It was agreed that further discussions would continue via videoconference.