The magnificent educational center of New Uzbekistan

When foreign historians and source scholars conduct research on the history of our country and the lives of our great scholars, they often express the sentiment: “The youth of your nation must deeply understand whose descendants they are and what a magnificent spiritual heritage they have inherited”. Indeed, in recent years, within the framework of the ongoing process of educational renewal, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has advanced initiatives aimed at enhancing the pride and dignity of our people and building the future upon the foundation of our rich legacy, reports UzA.

One such magnificent institution that will undoubtedly inspire national pride is the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, currently being established in our capital. On the eve of the 34th anniversary of our country’s independence, intensive day-and-night work is underway to form an expansive and meaningful exposition that reveals the essence of our glorious history and priceless heritage.

The museum complex of the Center will include several historical galleries such as the “Qur’an Hall”, “Pre-Islamic Civilizations”, “First Renaissance”, “Second Renaissance”, “Era of the Uzbek Khanates”, “Uzbekistan in the 20th Century”, and “New Uzbekistan – Foundation of a New Renaissance”.

These sections reflect various stages in the development of civilization. At present, intensive work is being carried out on numerous religious-educational and innovative media projects.

In shaping the Center’s exposition, more than 2,000 local and international scholars, experts in science and modern technology, museologists, researchers, and designers are actively working together based on the concept of “Civilizations, Figures, Discoveries” to prepare high-quality content.

At the latest meeting led by Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and Chairman of its Academic Council, a “30-Day Action Sprint” was announced to accelerate the ongoing work.

Unlike traditional museum approaches, the Center presents Islamic civilization not through static artifacts but through the lives and discoveries of great figures. This method has not been employed by any other museum in the world to date. Currently, 403 individual projects are being implemented to develop a comprehensive exposition. The Center of Islamic Civilization is not merely a collection of exhibits it is envisioned as an immersive environment where the past, present, and future are integrated through innovative technologies, allowing visitors to travel across historical eras.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has emphasized that “The Center of Islamic Civilization must not only be a place for studying the heritage of our ancestors, but also an active scientific-educational hub where youth directly engage in research activities”. Today, this vision has become a core mission for the large academic and educational team working at the Center.

Particular attention is being given to the effective use of cutting-edge information technologies in fulfilling this mission. For example, the “Timeline Corridor” innovation project will connect all the exhibition halls, enabling visitors to journey through time and seamlessly transition from one historical period to another.

The “Time Capsule” project is set to become an interactive initiative through which visitors can leave messages to future generations based on the values of Islamic culture. Guests will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, wishes, and aspirations with those who come after them.

The “Wall of Time” project is a large multimedia panel where various historical stages, great discoveries, and prominent figures from different eras will be brought to life through holography, installations, and projection technologies.

All of these technological solutions not only acquaint visitors with the exposition but also offer them an exciting journey through the centuries. To further enhance these exhibitions, partnerships have been established with leading scholars, research teams, museums across Uzbekistan, as well as numerous prestigious international museums, research institutes, libraries, and educational companies. As a result, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has today evolved into a powerful and high-potential scientific-research platform.

To enrich the Center’s exposition, the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) is also collaborating on publishing book-albums in the series “Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in World Collections” and “Inscriptions on the Monuments of Uzbekistan”, as well as facsimile editions of priceless ancient manuscripts.

As part of the opening ceremony of the Center, an international exhibition titled “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan – Heritage of All Humanity” will be held, featuring artifacts preserved in foreign collections. In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 500 research institutions from over 40 countries have been engaged to organize this exhibition. Over 5,000 scholars, experts, media professionals, and specialists interested in Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage are working together with a unified purpose. A dedicated platform has been established to host international forums, seminars, training sessions, and master classes based on a specialized program.

It is also planned to organize joint exhibitions with the world’s leading libraries and research centers, as well as to hold temporary and permanent displays of rare artifacts from international collections. Additionally, the formation of academic societies uniting foreign scholars researching Uzbekistan’s cultural legacy is envisioned.

In total, nearly 50 major collectors whose collections are directly connected to Uzbekistan’s historical and cultural heritage are expected to be involved. This marks a unique phenomenon in the history of global museum practice, wherein dozens of leading international museums will unite around the heritage of a single nation - Uzbekistan.

One of the key directions of international cooperation is the creation of high-quality replicas of ancient monuments and the digitization of cultural heritage. In accordance with the instructions of the President, it is planned to establish a specialized laboratory and workshop for producing precise copies of historical objects for international exhibitions. Additionally, new technologies will be introduced to create and restore modern 3D versions of historical monuments.

The Center is also actively working on developing an educational platform for children and adolescents. This project will enable young people to interactively “engage in dialogue” with great historical figures, scholars, and military leaders of the past.

In short, this magnificent institution showcasing the intellectual strength and rich cultural heritage of our country is destined to become a unique educational symbol of New Uzbekistan.