This year's forum was dedicated to the Year of the Muslim Family in Russia, the 1200th anniversary of Imam Tirmidhi's birth, the 200th anniversary of Moscow's Historic Mosque, the 165th anniversary of Mufti Rizaetdin Fakhretdin's birth, the 120th anniversary of Moscow’s Cathedral Mosque, and the 30th anniversary of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Moscow Islamic Institute.
The forum was organized by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Moscow Islamic Institute, with the support of the Fund for the Support of Islamic Culture, Science, and Education, as part of the VIII Kurultai-Congress of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation. Leaders of international religious organizations, scholars and specialists from the Islamic world, as well as representatives of research and educational institutions and public organizations, took part in the forum.
Since its inception in 2005, this annual forum has become an important platform for bringing together Muslim scholars and leaders in the religious and educational fields.
At the XX International Muslim Forum, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization and Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan, delivered a speech. In his address, he noted that the forum’s themes resonate with the speech made by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the UN in 2017, where he spoke about the humanistic, creative, and peace-loving ideas of Islam. He also emphasized that the Center for Islamic Civilization, being constructed in Uzbekistan at the President’s initiative, is working in this direction.
Abdukhalikov highlighted that after years of construction, the Center is entering a stage of becoming a major scientific mega-platform, aimed at studying, preserving, and promoting the rich heritage of scholars from the Muslim Renaissance and their contributions to world civilization. He further stressed that the research centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Tirmidhi, established in Uzbekistan, also serve this purpose, pointing specifically to the Presidential Decree of August 15 this year on the wide celebration of Imam Tirmidhi’s 1200th anniversary.
The forum unanimously supported Abdukhalikov’s proposals, which were based on the ideas and initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan, to utilize the vast potential of Islamic teachings to preserve spiritual and moral values, harmonize social relations, and combat ignorance through enlightenment. These proposals were included in the resolution of the XX International Muslim Forum.
As part of the forum, Abdukhalikov, on behalf of the President of Uzbekistan, presented Mufti Ravil Gainutdin with a facsimile edition of the Katta Langar Qur'an.
"I know the President of Uzbekistan as a far-sighted politician with high intellect, who deeply understands the essence of our religion," said Mufti Gainutdin. "I am confident that the Center for Islamic Civilization will become a source of pride not only for Uzbekistan but for all Muslims around the world. And this unique Mushaf will find a worthy place in the Islamic Museum at Moscow’s Central Cathedral Mosque. Please convey my prayers, gratitude, and respect to the President."