Aldiplomasy: “The Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent… A Gateway to National Memory and a New Renaissance”
From the earliest chapters of history, Uzbekistan has played a vital role in shaping Islamic values and spreading knowledge and enlightenment, as acknowledged by Aldiplomasy. This land has given the world countless scholars whose names shine through the centuries: Imam al-Bukhari, al-Zamakhshari, al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, al-Biruni, and many other great figures who left an indelible mark on jurisprudence, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and astronomy.
Reviving this immense heritage is not merely a glance at the past but a strategic national project carried out under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It aims to connect the present with the glory of the ancestors and to build a new Renaissance from the very roots that gave rise to Uzbekistan’s First and Second Renaissances.
From vision to grand reality
The construction of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan began in 2017, within the grounds of the renowned Hazrati Imam complex in the heart of Tashkent. Rising across 10 hectares, this edifice has been erected as one of the world’s largest cultural centers. Its breathtaking architectural design, with a blue dome soaring 65 meters high and majestic forms, rivals the world’s most renowned museums.
But the Center is more than a museum. It is a living encyclopedia of Islamic memory. Its halls narrate the civilizations before Islam, the First and Second Renaissance periods, the dynasties of Uzbek khanates, the transformations of the 20th century, and the dawn of the New Uzbekistan — the era of a New Renaissance.
A hub uniting global heritage
The project is not only about preserving local heritage but also about extending hands across the globe. Partnerships have been established with more than 100 international institutions, museums, and libraries, including Turkey’s Süleymaniye Library, the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, and the University of Bologna in Italy.
Such collaborations turn the Center into a bridge between Uzbekistan and the world’s cultural space. Scholars and experts from dozens of countries actively participate in preparing its exhibitions. Even before its official opening, it gained international recognition. Prominent academic institutions plan to organize special exhibitions here, reminiscent of the caliphal court of al-Ma’mun and the palace of Amir Timur eras when Central Asia was home to some of the brightest minds.
Restoring lost treasures
One of the most remarkable aspects is the shift from heritage being plundered to heritage being restored. For decades, manuscripts and artifacts were smuggled out of Uzbekistan. Today, more than 580 rare items have been returned acquired from world-famous auctions such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s in London, as well as from major private collectors.
Among them are pages of the monumental Baysunghur Qur’an commissioned by Amir Timur, swords and daggers from the Mongol era, Safavid and Mughal miniatures, golden ornaments from the Golden Horde, a manuscript of Rumi’s Masnavi, folios from Hafiz Abru’s Majma’ al-tawarikh, as well as unique ceramics and silver vessels from the Sogdian, Qarakhanid, and Seljuk periods.
Towards a New Renaissance
The significance of this project lies not only in its scale or treasures but in its symbolism. Above all, it proclaims the restoration of Uzbekistan’s natural place as one of the great centers of Islamic civilization. The Center is a bridge between past and present, a path leading into the future. Through knowledge, culture, and openness to the world, it calls for a New Renaissance.
The Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent is not merely a vast building. It is the memory of an entire nation and a gateway to the Third Renaissance. It demonstrates that national identity lives not only in history but also as a force inspiring the creation of a bright tomorrow.
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