Today, the Museum of Islamic Art in Malaysia hosted an international roundtable discussion on the theme "Cultural Heritage: A Bridge Between Uzbekistan and Malaysia," which is dedicated to strengthening bilateral cultural ties and developing scientific cooperation in the study of Islamic civilization.
The event, organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was attended by representatives of the largest Malaysian foundation, "Al-Bukhari," the Institute of Islamic Understanding under the Cabinet of Ministers of Malaysia, the Institute of Islamic Culture of Malaysia, the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, the University of Islamic Sciences, the International Islamic University, and other leading educational and research institutions.
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During the roundtable, large-scale reforms initiated by the President of Uzbekistan in the field of spiritual and educational activities, as well as the preservation, study, and promotion of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, were presented. Special attention was given to the activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization, the International Islamic Academy, the Committee for Religious Affairs, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, as well as the international research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi. The participants were shown special documentary films about the activities of these research institutions. Additionally, the foreword by the President of Uzbekistan to the book-album "Museum of Islamic Art in Malaysia" was presented to the Malaysian academic community.
After being introduced to the presentation of the Center of Islamic Civilization, the participants of the roundtable highly praised the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to establish the Center of Islamic Civilization. Scholars emphasized that this project plays a significant role in educating young people and promoting the values of peaceful Islam.
As part of the event, a special Declaration was adopted in support of the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to create favorable conditions for international scholars and researchers to work in the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This important step is aimed at implementing joint projects with leading specialists in the field of Islamic heritage, enriching the museum content of the Center, and further expanding scientific cooperation between Uzbekistan and the global community. The International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (Malaysia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, as well as with the international research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi.
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One of the key outcomes of the roundtable was the establishment of a joint Uzbek-Malaysian scientific society, which will unite leading researchers and experts from both countries specializing in the study of Islamic civilization. The organizational leadership of the society will be undertaken by the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan from the Uzbek side and by the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization from the Malaysian side. The first meeting of the expert council will take place in Uzbekistan ahead of the official opening of the Center of Islamic Civilization. The main objectives of the society include conducting joint scientific research and publications, organizing educational and cultural initiatives, exchanging academic experiences and resources, and developing international dialogue on Islamic heritage. The coordinators of the society were appointed as Dr. Firdavs Abduhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, and Dr. Abdulaziz Berghout, Director of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization.
As a sign of support for the contribution of the President of Uzbekistan to the preservation of Islamic culture and the study of the heritage of great scholars, the Malaysian side presented a special certificate granting Uzbek researchers electronic access to more than 100,000 manuscripts and rare publications. The certificate and digital key to the library of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization of Malaysia were ceremoniously handed over to the Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan. Access was also granted to the international research centers of Imam Maturidi, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Termizi.
During the roundtable, the Uzbek side proposed several initiatives aimed at strengthening scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. In the field of scientific cooperation, it was proposed to establish partnerships between the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization of Malaysia and the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, as well as the international centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi, within the framework of a special program for preventing radicalism. In the cultural sphere, initiatives included organizing a photo exhibition in the Museum of Islamic Art in Malaysia, showcasing historical monuments and artifacts of Uzbekistan, as well as arranging a media tour in Uzbekistan for Malaysian religious and educational organizations, journalists, and public figures to familiarize themselves with the country’s historical and cultural heritage.
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In the field of education, it was proposed to invite Malaysian scholars to participate in the international scholarship programs named after Imam Bukhari and Imam Maturidi, and to develop a joint educational program between the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the International Islamic University of Malaysia, including the involvement of Uzbek professors in Malaysian universities under the Visiting Professor program. In the field of scientific research, it was suggested to implement joint research projects between the Institute of Islamic Culture of Malaysia and the Center of Imam Bukhari, focusing on the restoration of the scientific heritage of Muslim scholars in the field of medicine and the modern relevance of Imam Bukhari’s legacy. Additionally, in order to strengthen spiritual and educational ties, it was proposed to launch the special pilgrimage program "Umrah Plus," which will allow Malaysian believers to visit sacred sites in Uzbekistan associated with Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, and Bahauddin Naqshband.
The event also featured a unique exhibition of books and facsimile editions published by the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU), and other Uzbek scientific centers. The displayed editions, reflecting the rich spiritual and scientific heritage of great Uzbek scholars, attracted deep interest from the roundtable participants. As a symbol of strengthening scientific and cultural cooperation, collections of books were donated to the libraries of partner Malaysian organizations, including the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, the Institute of Islamic Culture of Malaysia, and other institutions.
At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants visited the Uzbek cultural heritage exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art in Malaysia. Guests explored unique historical artifacts representing the rich legacy of Uzbek civilization, as well as the permanent museum exhibition. Notably, the 58th volume of the series "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World," published by the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU), is dedicated specifically to the collections of the Museum of Islamic Art in Malaysia.