― 8 июля 2026 г.

Announcement of comprehensive projects and strategic decisions at the First International Forum on Islamic Civilisation

The First International Forum on Islamic Civilisation, which addressed the contributions of Islamic civilisation to peace, tolerance, science and spiritual development on an international level, continued with a packed programme on its second day. 

The event, during which numerous book launches, digital innovation projects and strategic cooperation agreements were shared with the public featured significant steps towards the integration of cultural heritage into the modern world.

Institutional Presentations and Leadership Vision

One of the first events of the second day was a presentation titled “The Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan: A Global Platform for Heritage, Science and Education”, delivered by Rüstem Cabbarov, Scientific Secretary of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan. 

The presentation highlighted the centre’s mission to foster dialogue between civilisations.

Another key item on the day’s agenda was the launch of the book-album titled “Shavkat Mirziyoyev — A Leader Dedicated to Education”, published in collaboration with the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA). 

This work states that  initiatives presented by the President of Uzbekistan at the United Nations General Assembly have initiated in a new phase in preserving the legacy of the thinkers of the Central Asian Renaissance, studying the works of hadith scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari, and promoting the principles of religious tolerance at an international level.

Historical and Scientific Works on Qur’anic Manuscripts

As part of projects carried out in collaboration with the World Society for the Preservation, Research and Dissemination of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU), three significant works were presented which examine Qur’an manuscripts not merely as religious texts, but within the contexts of history, calligraphy, papery science and the memory of civilisation.

The first of the works presented in this context, “Rare Qur’an Manuscripts Preserved in Uzbekistan” is a first ever compilation of texts using a comprehensive scientific methodology, the history, calligraphic styles and material characteristics of manuscripts preserved in the country’s museums, libraries and various institutions, thereby making this information available to researchers. 

The second work, “The World’s 114 Rare Qur’an Manuscripts”, which serves as a global inventory, extends beyond Uzbekistan’s borders to comprehensively examine the world’s most significant Islamic manuscripts, including the Mushafs of Uthman, the Sana’a Manuscript, the Paris Codex, the Birmingham Fragments, the Topkapı Mushaf and the Blue Qur’an. 

The third and final work highlighted at the event, “The Katta Langar Qur’an: History and Truth”, fills a historical gap in the field. This study stands out as a special project that, for the first time, brings together all the lost and extant pages of the Katta Langar Mushaf—both in digital and printed formats—in the light of radiocarbon analyses and in-depth historical research.

Global Perspectives and New Publications

At the forum, presentations of works by foreign journalists and researchers examining Uzbekistan’s development also attracted considerable interest from participants. These included Iraqi writer and publisher Ahmed Casim Zübeydi’s *New Uzbekistan: A Land of Peace, Humanity and Tolerance*, Russian journalist Valeriy Biryukov’s *Shavkat Mirziyoyev – A Statesman and Politician of Global Stature”, and Pakistani journalist Muhammad Abbas Khan’s “Uzbekistan: The Third Renaissance – A Development Concept” were featured in the programme.

The second day of the forum also featured the presentation of numerous new books, albums and facsimile editions focusing on Islamic history and bonds of brotherhood. In addition to the book-albums titled “The Summit of Brotherhood and Alliance”, “Sahih al-Bukhari – The Book of the Ummah” and “Eternal Friendship, Scientific Cooperation, a Bright Future: The Path of IRCICA and Uzbekistan”, the new edition of “The Scientific Atlas of Islamic Civilisation” was announced. At the event, where the works “Abu Isa al-Tirmidhi: The Virtues of the Prophet” and “The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah” were presented, the facsimile project of the “Marseille Collection”, held in the collection of the National Library of Russia, was also shared with the public.

Digitalisation, Innovation and Modern Projects

Technological infrastructure and inclusive projects developed to preserve cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations were another highlight of the forum. The “INKSIGHT AI” project – an AI-based intellectual model developed to recognise and read handwritten texts in the Arabic script – was presented, alongside the “Digital Portraits of Historical Figures” project, which brings significant historical figures to life in a digital environment.

The inclusive “Museum of Equal Opportunities”, which centres on the use of sign language in the digital sphere; the “Boundless Museum”, offering virtual journeys into the world of historical and cultural heritage; and the travelling educational exhibition for children, “1001 Inventions from Uzbekistan to the World”, were all presented to participants. In addition, a modern analytical laboratory—established within the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan and intended for the scientific restoration of manuscripts—was unveiled. The “Return of Heritage” programme, a cultural property restitution initiative carried out with the support of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), was also among the key projects announced at the event.

Forum Outcomes and Strategic Documents

At the end of the forum’s second day, various memoranda were signed between international organisations, research centres and cultural institutions with the aim of preserving and digitising manuscripts and enhancing scientific cooperation.

During the event, the Tashkent Declaration of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilisation was adopted, whilst the 2027–2030 Roadmap outlining the development of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan was approved. 

The forum ended with the presentation of a joint statement prepared by the forum participants addressed to the President of Uzbekistan, and the presentation of commemorative gifts from the President to a group of international guests.