A delegation led by Firdavs Abdukhaliqov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with a number of scholars and researchers, including Frédéric Bressan, founder and president of the Society of Timurids in France, visited the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London.
During the meeting, the discussion focused on close cooperation between the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU) and the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation.
— Today, in the New Uzbekistan, thanks to the initiatives of our esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, great attention is being given to the preservation of cultural heritage. In this regard, collaboration with our British friends plays a significant role. In particular, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, established under the President's initiative, is implementing several projects in partnership with various British organizations and scholars, — noted Firdavs Abdukhaliqov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. — In August this year, the VIII International Congress was held in Tashkent and Samarkand, followed by the International Cultural Heritage Week in October, where more than ten British scholars participated with their projects. Currently, efforts are underway to refine these projects. In this context, the projects implemented in cooperation with the Director of the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, Mr. Sali Shahsavari, hold special significance. Today, we have arrived here with a group of scholars to further develop this collaboration. Mr. Shahsavari had proposed several interesting projects to us in Uzbekistan, one of which is related to the study of the works of our great compatriot Kaffal al-Shashi.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that collecting copies of this unique work, which holds special significance in the Islamic world, and creating their facsimiles are of exceptional importance. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the Al-Furqan Foundation houses several other manuscripts related to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, and plans for joint research on these manuscripts are in place. A memorandum of cooperation was also signed between the International Research Center of Imam Bukhari and the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation.
During the meeting, books and albums such as Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan and Inscriptions on Uzbekistan’s Monuments, as well as publications from the International Research Centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Tirmidhi, alongside commemorative gifts, were presented to the Director of the Al-Furqan Foundation, Sali Shahsavari. In turn, Mr. Shahsavari expressed his intention to continue the collaboration in the future.
In the second half of the day, the delegation visited the world’s largest and most prestigious auction houses — Christie’s and Sotheby’s. These auction houses hold leading positions in the sale of artworks, antiques, jewelry, and other valuable collectibles.
This visit marks an important step in promoting Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage on the international stage and strengthening scientific and cultural ties with the United Kingdom.