“Through such centers, we can fight against Islamophobia” – Cengiz Tomar

According to Cengiz Tomar, Deputy Director of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), under Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership Uzbekistan has opened up to the world and is presenting its historical civilization to the global community.

Cengiz Tomar, Deputy Director of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA):

“In recent years during Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s era, great changes have taken place in Uzbekistan. The country has opened itself to the world and is now introducing its historical civilization globally. For this, I am very pleased. In his speech at the 80th jubilee session of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Mirziyoyev especially emphasized peace.

 

Today, as you know, the world needs peace both in the Middle East and elsewhere. Without peace, there can be no civilization, wealth, or prosperity. Fortunately, peace prevails in Central Asia, and we can see how this peace contributes to development.

 

We believe that the 21st century will witness an Islamic-Turkic Renaissance, and this museum is one of its heralds.

 

Once completed, the museum will be magnificent. It is extremely important in terms of showing the contribution of this region Greater Turkestan, Uzbekistan to world civilization. We know that Ibn Sina, Khwarizmi, Fergani, Nasafi, Termizi, Bukhari all of them came from this land. But we need to make them more widely known.

 

We at IRCICA have also contributed to this Center. We have our own room here, where we sent our publications, works, and exhibitions. We are assisting as much as we can.

 

Within the framework of the UN, new initiatives are also needed for the voices of the Islamic and Turkic worlds to be heard more strongly. At present, only five states hold decisive power, but the voices of the Turkic and Islamic worlds are not sufficiently heard. God willing, in the future this will change, and our voice will be stronger at the UN as well.

 

In reality, our Islamic civilization is truly great. But in the last 20–30 years, phenomena such as fundamentalism and terrorism have emerged, and the media has portrayed Islam’s beauty and civilization in a negative light. Yet the Islamic world has made immense contributions both to Islamic history and to world history.

 

Through such centers, we can demonstrate the true cultural and scientific side of Islam and fight against Islamophobia. Unfortunately, in recent years Islam has been increasingly depicted as “terrorists who behead people”. But Islam is not like that and only such centers can show the truth. That is why there is a great need for such institutions. Therefore, I sincerely congratulate Uzbekistan for creating this opportunity”.