On October 19, as part of the International Week of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage, titled "The Phenomenon of Eastern Renaissance: States, Religions, Personalities, and Civilizations," a cultural symposium on the theme "Islam — A Religion of Peace and Kindness" was held in the conference hall of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU). An exhibition dedicated to the Quran was also organized.
The day began with the international scientific and cultural symposium, "Islam — A Religion of Peace and Kindness." As part of the event, an exclusive exhibition titled "The Quran: The Light of Peace, Kindness, and Spiritual Awakening" was opened, showcasing unique religious manuscripts and Qurans, which will later become part of the "Quran Hall" exhibition in the Museum of the Center for Islamic Civilization and the innovative Imam al-Bukhari Museum.
The main theme of the symposium was the discussion of reforms aimed at studying, preserving, and promoting Islamic heritage, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The symposium was moderated by Academician Akmal Saidov, Doctor of Law, Professor, and member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The symposium opened with a report by the President of the Turkish Manuscript Institute, Coskun Yilmaz, who spoke about his organization’s activities and its cooperation with the Center for Islamic Civilization.
Uzbekistan's national hero, literary scholar, and translator Ibragim Gafurov shared his experience of translating the meanings of the Quran into the Uzbek language.
Next, the Deputy Director-General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture (IRCICA), Cengiz Tomar, discussed agreements with the Center for Islamic Civilization, including a project to create an encyclopedia of Uzbek scholars.
First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Davron Maksudov, emphasized the importance of religion in today’s world, while First Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, Khomidjon Ishmatbekov, spoke about spirituality and the significance of the Quran.
Dr. Mamdouh Hassan, Director-General of the Museum of Islamic Art and the Al Midad Organization (Saudi Arabia), shared insights into cooperation with the Center for Islamic Civilization and the rich history of Islam. The Director of the Park of Islamic Civilization in Istanbul, renowned calligrapher Hussein Kutlu, gave a presentation on "The Art of Calligraphy in Turkey." Bakhita Ahmad Al-Rumeisi, Executive Director of the Manara Center (UAE), spoke about her organization’s activities and joint projects with the Center for Islamic Civilization.
Karim Ifrak, a professor at Sorbonne University and a researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), presented a report on Uzbek manuscript Qurans and showcased a unique Quran that belonged to Amir Timur, currently held in a private collection. Professor Ekrem Aytar, Director of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, spoke about the need to deepen cooperation in the field of Islamic heritage, while Sinan Turaman, Director of "Outdoor Factory," introduced the project of the Imam al-Bukhari Museum.
The event continued with special presentations. Jamollidin Karimov, Director of the Imam Maturidi International Research Center, introduced the project "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections." Professor Halit Eren from Namık Kemal University presented a project to place facsimile copies of rare Qurans in the "Quran Hall" of the Center for Islamic Civilization. Senior Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Hamidullo Lutfullaev, and Scientific Secretary of the Center for Islamic Civilization, Rustam Jabborov, presented the project "The History and Fate of Rare Qurans" by Firdavs Abdukhalikov.
Professor Emek Uşenmez from Istanbul University presented for the first time a project to place facsimile copies of the Quran gifted to Sultan Mahmud, the Uzbek Quran, and the Quran written for Amir Timur’s grandson.
Mirzo Kenzhabek, Head of the Department at the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, spoke about the project for a new translation of the Quran into Uzbek, "Faizul Furkan," and new Uzbek handwritten versions of the Quran. Ekrem Aytar, Director of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, delivered a captivating report on "The Quran with Inventory Number 294."
Shodmon Vokhidov, Vice-Rector of Panjakent Pedagogical University, presented a project to create a registry of handwritten Qurans held in private collections. Following his report, participants discussed the projects and had their questions answered.
For the younger generation, a master class by renowned calligraphers Hussein Kutlu and Habibullah Salih was also organized.
Bakhita Ahmad Al-Rumeisi, Executive Director of the Manara Center (UAE):
"I believe that the Week of Cultural Heritage is an excellent conference. Many scholars, doctors, and specialists in Islam and cultural preservation have gathered here. The discussions have been very productive. I would like to note that the dedication of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to preserving the cultural heritage and history of Uzbekistan is admirable and inspires us to work on joint projects. The discussion on Quranic studies is an extremely important part of Islamic culture."
Emek Uşenmez, Professor of Istanbul University, Orientalist:
"We recently began studying the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. We are researching Qurans held at the Turkish Manuscript Institute. At the Week of Cultural Heritage, we presented several projects related to these artifacts. Together with the Center for Islamic Civilization, we are working on creating their facsimile copies. Additionally, there is a Quran from the Samanid era written in Persian, but as we discovered, it was composed using ancient Uzbek in the Karluk dialect. I delivered a report on such Qurans, where the text is accompanied by a translation into Uzbek. We are grateful to our colleagues for their support."
Halit Eren, Professor of History at Namık Kemal University, former Director of IRCICA:
"Every Quran is unique. Each calligrapher has their own style. Even when a calligrapher creates a handwritten copy, the replicas often differ from the original. Today, according to agreements with the Center for Islamic Civilization, calligraphers from Turkey are working in Uzbekistan’s universities and plan to publish the results of their work this year. The manuscripts held in Tashkent are being studied, and there are plans for joint preparation of facsimile copies of rare manuscripts."
Karim Ifrak, Professor, Quranic Studies Expert, PhD from the Sorbonne, and Director of the Institute for Academic Studies in Paris, CNRS Researcher:
"Many specialists say that rare copies of the Quran are held in European museums and private collections and are difficult to access. In most cases, this is true, but unique copies still exist. For example, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan holds about 100 unique copies, and the country as a whole has around 300. I believe this collection should be expanded. I presented a colorful copy of the Quran from a private collection that is not accessible to the general public. This Quran is particularly interesting because it may have been written by a woman."
Hussein Kutlu, Head of the Park of Islamic Civilization in Istanbul, Calligrapher, Author of the Istanbul Quran Copy:
"Today, all conditions for cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey in the field of culture have been established, and they should be used effectively. Organizing events such as the Week of Cultural Heritage creates excellent opportunities for further deepening relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan, especially in terms of experience exchange in cultural management. I am here as a calligrapher and participated in the creation of the 10-volume ‘History of Islam,’ published in Turkey, which includes the history of Quranic art. One of the copies of this book is presented here. When I first came here, I also visited Samarkand and Termez, and I was received with the same warmth as in my homeland. I hope that our future plans with the Center for Islamic Civilization will contribute to the development of brotherhood and cultural cooperation between our nations."
Sinan Turaman, Director of "Outdoor Factory":
"We have been working effectively with the Center for Islamic Civilization since 2021. As part of this cooperation, and at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a modern digital museum is planned to be built within the Imam al-Bukhari complex in Samarkand. This museum will serve as a place that combines both classical and contemporary art. It will feature interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and modern technologies that provide comprehensive information about the life, activities, and hadiths of Imam al-Bukhari."