KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Human history demonstrates that every great advancement is built upon intellectual and spiritual foundations.
Today, a project emerging from the heart of Central Asia is drawing global attention for its scale and significance - Centre of Islamic Civilisation is not merely an architectural landmark, but an intellectual bridge connecting the past, present and future of the region.
The anticipated opening of the complex in March 2026 has already attracted the attention of leading international publications and organisations, recognising it as one of the most significant cultural projects of the New Uzbekistan.
The foundation for the project was laid in 2017, when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev introduced the initiative at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
At that time, the leader of Uzbekistan emphasised the need to show the international community the true humanistic essence of Islam - enlightenment, peace and creation.
This was not only a political statement but also a programme for returning to the roots of a land that for centuries served as a cradle of science and culture.
The emergence of this monumental project coincides with a global need for spiritual transformation.
In an era where Islamophobia and radicalism are spreading across different parts of the world, Uzbekistan has proposed a model to confront these challenges through science and education.
Today, this vision has materialised in a majestic complex covering 10 hectares in the historic centre of Tashkent.
Its 65-metre azure dome and four golden gates symbolically represent the unity of all regions of Uzbekistan.
Across every line of the building, architectural traditions of the Timurid era are harmoniously integrated with modern technological solutions.
The centre embodies a balance of religion and science. Its main pillar, reflecting the rich architectural traditions of Ulugh Beg Madrasah, is adorned with a calligraphic inscription of the first revealed verse of the Quran, “Iqra”, symbolising the pursuit of knowledge as the highest spiritual duty of every individual.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the seventh-century Uthman Quran, a unique sacred relic inscribed by UNESCO in the “Memory of the World” Register.
The architectural concept of the complex impresses not only with its grandeur but also with its full compliance with contemporary urban planning and environmental sustainability standards.
Every element of the project - from the foundation to the dome - has been constructed with respect for historical heritage and designed for longevity.
The landscaped grounds surrounding the complex transform it into more than a scientific centre, creating a spacious cultural and educational zone accessible to both city residents and international visitors.
The exhibition concept of the centre fundamentally departs from that of traditional museums.
Built upon the principle endorsed by Mirziyoyev, “Civilisation – Personalities – Discoveries”, it does more than present historical facts; it immerses visitors in a living intellectual innovation.
The exhibition is organised chronologically: the pre-Islamic period, the First and Second Renaissance and New Uzbekistan - forming the foundation of the Third Renaissance.
A special feature is the “Wall of Civilisations”, which showcases humanity’s intellectual progress as a continuous process.
It illustrates how the discoveries of great figures from each era - including Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Farghani, Ibn Sina, Al-Biruni, and Mirzo Ulughbek - are directly linked to modern high technologies.
The extensive use of VR and AR technologies, holograms, and artificial intelligence enables the centre to “bring to life” unique ninth-century manuscripts, digitally reconstruct the original appearance of ancient observatories and transport past discoveries into the digital realm.
This large-scale integration of digital technologies positions the centre as a museum of the future. Through smart systems, visitors not only receive visual information but can virtually interact with great scientists and participate in their laboratory experiments.
The “1001 Inventions” Laboratory, designed for children, sparks early interest in engineering and natural sciences.
The centre thus evolves beyond a repository of knowledge, becoming an interactive educational platform that nurtures the nation’s intellectual potential.
Mirziyoyev has repeatedly emphasised that the true strength of a nation lies in its memory and cultural roots.
He instructed that museum exhibitions be enriched with authentic examples of national heritage and that the rarest artifacts preserving the spirit and history of the Uzbek people be returned to the homeland.
In fulfillment of this noble vision, a delegation led by Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Centre of Islamic Civilisation and a special commission of scholars, orientalists and art historians, conducted large-scale research.
One of the centre’s most important tasks is the repatriation of national cultural heritage scattered abroad and in recent years, systematic cooperation has been established with prestigious auction houses and private collectors for this purpose.
Thanks to these efforts, more than a thousand unique manuscripts and artifacts have been returned to Uzbekistan.
The World Society for the Study, Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) has also transferred numerous unique artworks from Transoxiana and Khorasan to the centre's collection.
Scientific expeditions and diplomatic missions organised by the Uzbekistan government have facilitated the creation of facsimile copies of manuscripts preserved in major museums and libraries worldwide.
This process underscores that the rich cultural heritage of the Uzbek people is not only the legacy of Central Asia but also an integral part of the Islamic world and human civilisation.
Each repatriated treasure symbolises the determination of the New Uzbekistan to restore its cultural identity.
The Centre of Islamic Civilisation is conceived not merely as a museum, but as an active scientific and educational platform.
It provides comprehensive facilities for researchers, including a library housing over 200,000 volumes, restoration laboratories, a calligraphy school, and digital archives.
It also hosts offices of prestigious international organisations - including Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), Research Centre For Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) - highlighting its role as a major hub for scientific and educational engagement.
More than 1,500 specialists from over 40 countries contributed to the project.
International experts, including Khaled El-Enany, have described the centre as a “unique civilisational complex, integrating a next-generation museum, advanced research infrastructure, a modern library, national and international archives on the history of Central Asian civilisations, digital humanities technologies and an extensive network for global scientific and cultural collaboration”.
Finland President Alexander Stubb referred to the centre as an intellectual hub of the modern world, likening it to historical institutions such as the Bayt al-Hikma, Academy of Ma’mun and Ulugh Beg Madrasah, which once shaped the development of science.
At the Congress “Central Asia: Shared Spiritual and Educational Heritage – Shared Future”, the centre was visited by five presidents, becoming a symbol of collective regional pride.
The event also brought together more than 300 scholars and cultural figures from Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan.
In February 2026, new reports from Paris further bolstered the project’s global prestige. The International Committee of the Prix Versailles included the centre in the list of the “World's Most Beautiful Museums of 2026”.
This recognition is further reinforced by its inclusion in international publications and rankings, such as Smithsonian Magazine, BBC Travel, BBC History and National Geographic.
This places it alongside the world’s major museum initiatives, including the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Los Angeles), the National Geographic Museum of Exploration (Washington, D.C.) and the London Museum.
Such acclaim significantly enhances the centre’s scientific and tourism potential, transforming it into a must-visit global landmark.
These achievements vividly demonstrate the creative potential of New Uzbekistan and its innovative approach that meets international standards.
It is no coincidence that the centre’s opening coincides with the Holy month of Ramadan. It was in 2018, during this blessed month, that the first stone of this grand project was laid.
Now, eight years later, the Centre of Islamic Civilisation will open its doors, becoming a vital symbol of the revival and preservation of Islamic cultural heritage for future generations.
-- BERNAMA
The article is prepared by Uzbekistan’s Centre of Islamic Civilisation in conjunction with its opening today, March 17.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of BERNAMA)
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