What is the First Renaissance, and why is it still relevant today?

“First Renaissance Period” Exhibition

 

The “First Renaissance Period” exhibition organized at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan presents, in a comprehensive manner, the scientific, spiritual, and cultural flourishing of the Islamic awakening that holds a special place in the history of our region. Through this exhibition, visitors can witness how, following the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the region rapidly became one of the leading centers of learning, enlightenment, and religious-spiritual life in the Muslim world.

 

As reflected in the exhibition, it was precisely on this land that the exact and natural sciences, as well as the social and humanities fields, developed rapidly, elevating the education system to a new stage. In urban planning, architecture, and the arts, achievements of global significance were attained milestones that occupy an important place in the history of human civilization. The great scholars who emerged from this land made an incomparable contribution to world progress through their scientific discoveries and spiritual legacy.

 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasizing the importance of this issue, states the following:

 

“…to study in depth the unique heritage created by the creative genius of our people; to form a holistic understanding of the lives and scientific-creative activities of the great scholars and thinkers who emerged from our land; to establish interreligious and intercivilizational dialogue at the international level; to reveal the humanistic essence of Islam in today’s complex times; and to combat ignorance with enlightenment these are crucial tasks.”

 

It is well known that although Islam emerged on the Arabian Peninsula, many of the greatest representatives of Islamic science and thought originated from our land. This historical period, spanning the 8th to the 13th centuries, is presented in the exhibition through the “Wall of Civilizations and Discoveries.”

 

In this section, visitors can closely explore the periods of rule and the political, scientific, and cultural heritage of major dynasties such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, Samanids, Karakhanids, Ghaznavids, Seljuks, Khwarazmshahs, and Chinggisids. Display cases feature rare manuscripts, examples of applied art, and important historical documents.

 

The Seljuk emblem of sovereignty depicting a double-headed eagle

 

Architectural and artistic heritage from the dynastic periods occupies a special place in the exhibition. An artifact from the 11^th-12^th centuries depicting a double-headed eagle recognized as a symbol of the Seljuk dynasty has long been regarded as an emblem of power, wisdom, and divine protection.

 

Sites associated with the standing places of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)

 

The exhibition also displays the covering of the Maqam Ibrahim. This unique artifact was prepared in 1859 on the basis of a decree by Sultan Abdulmejid of the Ottoman Empire.

 

Mahmil — a special palanquin covered with an ornate cloth for transporting the Kiswah

 

Another of the rarest exhibits is the mahmil, designed for the ceremonial transport of the Kaaba covering. In the past, the kiswah prepared annually in Egypt was carried to Mecca with great reverence. This mahmil, created in 1836 by order of Sultan Mahmud II, is recognized as an invaluable historical witness to the traditions of the Hajj.

 

Kiswah — the covering of the Kaaba door

 

The central part of the exhibition is dedicated to the most sacred site of Islam - the Kaaba. Here, fragments of the Kaaba covering and a replica of the golden door recreated on the basis of historical sources are displayed. In addition, a fragment of the Kaaba covering donated to the Islamic Civilization Center by the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz, occupies a special place as a particularly valuable exhibit. The large kiswah on the Kaaba door dates to 1988, during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz.

 

Furthermore, the original keys to the Kaaba gates dating to the 13th century, belonging to the Mamluk period, are also included in the exhibition.

 

Exact replicas of letters written by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

 

The exhibition also presents exact replicas of letters sent by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the rulers of various states, calling for peace, justice, and unity.

 

Gozalkhon Vakhobova, Senior Researcher:

 

“In the ‘Bayt al-Hikma’ the ‘House of Wisdom’ capsule prepared in this exhibition section, the scientific legacy of great scholars such as Muhammad al-Khwarizmi and Ahmad al-Farghani is presented extensively. The model of the nilometer created to measure the water level of the Nile River clearly demonstrates the practical significance of science.

 

In the capsule dedicated to the exact and natural sciences, rare manuscripts and scientific works of scholars such as Ibn Sina and Abu Rayhan al-Biruni are displayed, including The Canon of Medicine, a qibla compass, and a 12th-century astrolabe.

 

In the capsules devoted to Islamic theology and the science of hadith, the invaluable scientific and spiritual heritage of Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Tirmidhi, and Imam al-Maturidi is presented in depth, with particular emphasis on their role in promoting religious tolerance, scientific thinking, and the building of an enlightened society.”

 

In conclusion, the “First Renaissance” exhibition of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan presents the scientific, cultural, and spiritual flourishing of the Islamic awakening in a modern interpretation, serving as a strong spiritual bridge between the past and the present.

 

Shahnoza Rahmonova

P.S.: The article may be republished with a link to the Center’s official website.