The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan has been awarded the prestigious international Prix Avicenne 2025

Members of the French Academy of Sciences

On 20 November 2025, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan was awarded one of Europe’s prestigious distinctions the Prix Avicenne 2025 (the Avicenna Prize 2025). The award ceremony took place in Paris, at the building of the French National Academy of Medicine, where leading scholars, medical historians, Orientalists, specialists in Islamic heritage, and representatives of European cultural institutions gathered. During the official session, it was announced that the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan had been presented with the Avicenna memorial statuette and the prize diploma.

As highlighted by the French academic community, the activities of the Center established at the initiative of President Sh. Mirziyoyev represent a model example of a modern approach to studying the legacy of Ibn Sina, one of the greatest scholars in human history. According to the Academy’s decision, Uzbekistan today not only cares for its cultural and scientific heritage but is also making a substantial contribution to global humanities by advancing new large-scale projects, research standards, restoration methods, cataloging practices, and the promotion of Islamic intellectual heritage.

The Academy’s experts highly praised the scale of ongoing work: the Center has restored some of Avicenna’s rarest manuscript works, is creating major specialized archives and electronic catalogues, is conducting international scholarly projects comparing manuscripts of the Canon of Medicine, is developing new directions in the restoration of medical texts, and is organizing international conferences dedicated to the contributions of great Central Asian scholars to world science. According to French scholars, the Center’s exhibition elevates the study and research of Avicenna’s legacy to a new stage and is establishing Uzbekistan as a leading hub in this field.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center and Chairman of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan, said upon receiving the award:

“This award is a vivid confirmation of the international recognition of the broad activities of our esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. As the initiator of the creation of the Islamic Civilization Center, the President has led a unique authorial scientific and cultural mega-project dedicated to widely promoting the true intellectual heritage of the great Eastern thinkers.

 

The Prix Avicenne is a profound expression of respect and a well-deserved appreciation for the work of hundreds of national and foreign scholars, researchers, translators, and experts who are shaping the scientific and educational content of this Center. This award also symbolically reflects the global community’s deep respect for Central Asia’s historical role in the development of world scientific thought.

 

We will continue to expand international research, strengthen academic cooperation, and advance work dedicated to the legacy of Avicenna and all the great thinkers of our homeland.”

The Prix Avicenne, established by leading French scientific institutions, is awarded for significant achievements in the humanities and natural sciences, as well as for contributions to the preservation and promotion of historical and scientific heritage.