A room of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been established at the National Library of Iran

At the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, which is being built, is expected to become one of the most prestigious scientific and educational institutions in the world. The Center aims to broadly showcase Islam, its culture and enlightenment, as well as the invaluable contributions of scholars from around the globe. In this endeavor, cooperation is being carried out with several foreign countries, in particular with the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a result of this collaboration, a delegation from the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is currently on a working visit to Iran. The purpose of the visit is to accelerate joint projects and to involve valuable exhibits preserved in Iranian libraries and museums for display at the opening ceremony of the Center.

 

Today, an online meeting was held between Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Fariddin Nasriyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Gholamreza Amirkhani, Head of the National Archives and Library of Iran, as well as employees of the library and the Center.

 

 

Gholamreza Amirkhani, Head of the National Archives and Library of Iran, highly appreciated the fact that relations with Uzbekistan are reaching higher levels day by day.

 

 

“We are pleased to host the Uzbek delegation and introduce you to our shared heritage and artifacts directly related to Uzbekistan preserved here. As a result of the friendly relations between the leaders of our two countries, today a room of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is opening in our library, which is a clear symbol of friendship. We wish great success in the opening of the Center and in this mega-project”, he said.

 

During the meeting, a video dedicated to the activities and history of the National Archives and Library of Iran was shown. It was emphasized that the library has 12 halls, including rare manuscripts. The library’s collection also includes works by great scholars from Mawarannahr such as Abu Ali ibn Sina, Abu Nasr al-Farabi, Tusi, and Musa Khwarizmi. The library also has special halls dedicated to Iranian and Islamic studies.

 

 

 

At the event, Fariddin Nasriyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressed the great role of the highest leaders of the two states behind such scientific meetings.

 

 

“I sincerely congratulate both sides on the opening of the library of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan within the structure of the National Library of Iran. During the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2023, new priority areas of cooperation between the two countries were defined. As a result of scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation, a room of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been opened in the National Library of Iran”, said the ambassador.

 

Afterwards, the Director of the Center, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, emphasized that this cooperation represents another step in implementing the cultural and educational priorities set by the leaders of the two countries.

 

“In order to widely promote Uzbekistan’s spiritual and cultural heritage, it is planned to establish dedicated rooms of the Center in several prestigious national libraries and museums around the world. Negotiations are underway with national libraries and museums in countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The opening of the first room of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan at the National Archives and Library of Iran is another step in fulfilling the tasks set by our esteemed President”, said the Director of the Center.

 

 

Also, during the meeting, Rustam Jabborov, the Center’s Scientific Secretary currently in Tehran, provided information about the artifacts identified during the delegation’s visit.

 

 

“In the Sa’dabad Military Museum complex of Iran, two swords belonging to the great conqueror Amir Temur are preserved. For a long time, these swords were considered the most precious treasures of Iranian rulers, who kept them with utmost care out of respect and admiration for Amir Temur. At present, these two swords are among the most valuable exhibits of the Sa’dabad Military Museum. The handle of the swords bears the inscription ‘Ya Fattah’. In addition, the Astan Quds Razavi Library preserves an authentic decree of Abulg‘ozi Bahodirkhan, who ruled the Khiva Khanate in the 17th century. The same library also contains a selected copy of the Qur’an made at the beginning of the 15th century by Timurid ruler Ibrahim Sultan, which includes several surahs. This Mushaf is considered one of the largest Qur’anic manuscripts of that era and is of exceptional historical and artistic significance”, said Rustam Jabborov.

 

 

At the end of the event, the “Katta Langar Qur’an”, published under the instruction of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was presented by the Center’s delegation to Gholamreza Amirkhani, Head of the National Archives and Library of Iran.

 

The opening of a dedicated room for the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan at the National Library of Iran demonstrates that cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries has reached a new stage. Both sides evaluated this step as a symbol of friendship and shared heritage. The event will further strengthen the scientific, cultural, and educational cooperation between the two countries.

 

Information service of the Center of Islamic Civilization