On October 26, at the under-construction Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the closing ceremony for the International Heritage Week in Tashkent, themed "The Phenomenon of Eastern Renaissances: States, Religions, Individuals, and Civilizations," was held.
During the ceremony, official representatives, including academician and Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bahrom Abdukhalimov, as well as the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sadyk Safaev, addressed the attendees.
Following their speeches, special guest of the session, Dr. Farhan Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, took the stage. Dr. Nizami, who was in Uzbekistan as an observer for the parliamentary elections, shared his thoughts: “Knowledge of cultural heritage and history is invaluable. This message, clearly articulated today, must reach humanity. What is happening here and now always has parallels with the past. It is essential to remember that without the past, we cannot build the future. The Center for Islamic Civilization is a contribution not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire world. I wish you success in what you are doing. Remember, you are doing this not just for yourselves but for all of us. I am deeply grateful for this. I also extend immense thanks to the President of Uzbekistan for his support of Islamic philosophy worldwide,” he emphasized.
Subsequently, members of the International Expert Council of the Center for Islamic Civilization delivered speeches of gratitude.
The floor was then given to the honorary guests of Uzbekistan's Heritage Week — members of the Center's Coordinating, Trustee, International Expert, and Academic Councils. They shared their reflections, wishes, and recommendations. Among the speakers were academician and Hero of Uzbekistan Shavkat Ayupov, Director of the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts at the Russian Academy of Sciences Irina Popova, academician of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences Akbar Khakimov, scholar and Professor at Selçuk University Dr. Mustafa Demirci, Executive Director of the Wilmotte & Associés architecture company (France) Borina Andrieu, Director of the State Museum of History Zhannat Ismailova, Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage Agency Tursunali Kuziyev, and Professor at Istanbul University Dr. Emek Usenmez (Turkey). All speakers expressed their gratitude to the organizers, recognized the productivity of the forums held during the International Heritage Week in Tashkent, and voiced their full support for the Center for Islamic Civilization's development.
The concluding speech was delivered by the Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization and Chairman of the Board of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage, Firdavs Abdukhalikov. He thanked his colleagues for their hard work during Heritage Week in Tashkent and for their unity around the vision of Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Abdukhalikov noted that all suggestions from his colleagues regarding the museum exhibition concepts for the Center for Islamic Heritage and the innovative Imam al-Bukhari Museum, a project by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, would be thoroughly examined. He also briefed attendees on the Center's upcoming plans and encouraged the younger generation to join the "Center for Islamic Civilization" project.
**Heritage Week in Uzbekistan**, titled “The Phenomenon of Eastern Renaissance: States, Religions, Individuals, and Civilizations,” took place in Tashkent from October 18 to 27, with the participation of over 100 foreign scholars and experts. The week featured conferences, seminars, forums, exhibitions, and presentations, including the mega-project presentation of the "Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan" and other projects aimed at enriching the museum halls of the Center and the innovative Imam Al-Bukhari Museum.
The Center for Islamic Civilization is a project initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as part of his vision to promote enlightened Islam as a religion of goodwill, peace, and tolerance.