**On the eve of the opening ceremony of the VIII International Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), participants were given a tour of the under-construction Center of Islamic Civilization near the historic Hazrat Imam Complex in Tashkent.**
Three hundred scholars from around the world had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with what will soon become the cultural jewel of Uzbekistan's capital and all of Central Asia. Before the tour began, a video about the Center's creation, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who laid the foundation stone for the building, was shown on a large screen inside the complex.
Currently, interior finishing work and landscaping of the surrounding area are underway. Nevertheless, Congress participants were able to fully appreciate the majestic exterior of the Center, as well as the exquisite frescoes adorning the foyer walls inside the building.
In a conversation with journalists, the Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization and Chairman of the WOSCU Board, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, emphasized the project's importance:
"The mega-project of the Center of Islamic Civilization is an original idea of the esteemed President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and it is intended to become a large-scale platform for science, culture, enlightenment, and education. It will develop as projects are implemented, and the result of each scientific project is not only a new discovery but also the constant enrichment of the Center's operational fund. That's why we have invited so many prominent foreign experts, with whom we intend to realize these plans," Abdukhalikov confidently stated.
Additionally, guests in the demonstration hall were introduced to an exhibition of artifacts, including replicas of archaeological finds, such as jewelry and ceramics, facsimiles of unique manuscripts, models of architectural monuments, and a collection of book albums.
The President of the International Turkic Academy, Shain Mustafayev, also believes that the museum content of the Center of Islamic Civilization is a crucial component of the entire project.
"The alliance between the Center of Islamic Civilization and WOSCU is a highly fruitful idea. Uzbek culture is an integral part of Islamic civilization. Therefore, the Center of Islamic Civilization is very important not only for Uzbekistan but for all of Central Asia and the Islamic world. It is a major research and museum center—the only one in the entire region. Soon, this beautiful building will be completed, and the only remaining task will be to fill its halls with the appropriate content. The organization's effectiveness will depend on this. The task of the Congress participants is to share their opinions and offer suggestions. This will contribute to the enrichment of ideas and the creation of a unique collection," Mustafayev believes.
Director of the Center for Iranian Studies at Cambridge University, Firouzeh Melville, calls the Center of Islamic Civilization a grand project.
"I want to congratulate the leadership of Uzbekistan on the realization of this remarkable project. Of course, much work remains to be done to complete such a grand undertaking of the century or perhaps even of the era. Everything is very impressive. Work on design and content selection is already visible. New Uzbekistan has vast experience in implementing large international projects and has established a network of international contacts, so I have no doubt in the success of this megaproject," Melville stated.
A representative of the Moscow Museum of the Orient, Ekaterina Ermakova, believes that the Center of Islamic Civilization could become a unique exhibition space for Islam.
"This is my first time at this Center, and it is indeed a remarkable project—luxurious and grand. It is noteworthy that the Center of Islamic Civilization is not a theological institution but a cultural one, which leaves a lot of room for broad coverage. I believe that one of the Center's activities could be organizing exhibitions. Not just ordinary exhibitions that take place in museums and galleries, but ones that address the issues and challenges of Islamic civilization," Ermakova stated.
Editor-in-Chief of the Qatari newspaper "Ash-Sharq," Jadid al-Harmi, believes that the Center of Islamic Civilization will become one of the leading centers in the Islamic world.
"I am happy to be in Uzbekistan, this brotherly and beautiful country. It is a great honor to be at the Center of Islamic Civilization. The existence of such projects proves how much the President of Uzbekistan values the great heritage and the scholars who have made outstanding contributions to world history. The creation of such a center is a testament to the understanding of the importance of preserving history and passing it on to future generations. After all, a society that values its history builds its future," al-Harmi stated.