Nearly 60 ambassadors and consuls of Uzbekistan abroad visited the Islamic Civilization Center

 

As is known, on 15 January 2026, participants of the videoconference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and dedicated to the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions abroad, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, visited the Islamic Civilization Center.

 

The guests were welcomed by the Director of the Center, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, who provided detailed information about the idea behind the creation of the complex and the historical, scientific, and spiritual heritage embodied in it:

 

“The majestic building of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan was constructed based on the authorship, personal initiative, and ideas of our esteemed President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

 

Taking into account the strategic importance of this large-scale project not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire Islamic world and Central Asia, the Head of State personally oversaw the construction process. He set the task that not only the external grandeur but also the internal essence of the Center should form a harmonious, high spiritual platform. In this regard, your support became an important factor.

 

Based on the direct initiatives and instructions of our esteemed President, with the practical assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign embassies, and all their staff, we are returning artifacts from around the world to our country.

 

In 2025, as a result of these efforts, nearly 2,000 artifacts and manuscripts were brought back from foreign countries and placed in the Center’s exhibition. Of course, foreign embassies and every employee working there made a very significant contribution to this process. For this practical support, we sincerely express our gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, each embassy, and all staff members working there.

 

This year as well, a number of goals have been set to further expand these efforts, enrich the Center’s content by discovering unique masterpieces of our cultural heritage, returning them to our country, and promoting them widely. Of course, we will work together to explain the Islamic Civilization Center to the world, continue these noble efforts, and promote the discoveries of our great thinkers, their scientific heritage, and our great cultural legacy. We will strive to take our cooperative activities in this area to a new level.”

 

The guests first became acquainted with the Center’s “Hall of Honor” and the building’s unique architectural solutions. The monumental arches reflecting the rich scientific and spiritual heritage of our great ancestors and its place in world civilization aroused great interest.

 

 

 

After that, the guests toured the museum exhibitions the Pre-Islamic period, the First and Second Renaissance periods, as well as the New Uzbekistan – Foundation of New Renaissance sections, the Holy Qur’an Hall, and exhibitions designed for children.

 

Furqat Sidikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to the United States:

 

“I have visited many museums in America, especially in Washington. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that this Center surpasses them in terms of the richness, content, and presentation of its exhibits. Frankly speaking, I did not expect such a scale at all.

 

What we diplomats promote over many years can be felt and understood by a person in a short time by visiting this Center just once. Therefore, I express my gratitude to our esteemed President for such a unique Center. I believe this project is also extremely important for the education of future generations.

 

I am confident that this Center will become one of the most visited places in Central Asia. It is a great source of pride not only for foreign guests but also for us Uzbeks.”

 

Ravshan Usmanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom:

 

“I would like to especially emphasize that our embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributed to the creation of this complex. In particular, we directly participated in identifying, purchasing, and bringing to Uzbekistan certain valuable artifacts preserved abroad. Today, leading examples of them are on display here. In my opinion, the idea of gathering Uzbekistan’s rich historical and spiritual heritage under one roof is a very important and relevant initiative. This demonstrates not only the incomparable richness of our country’s history, but also the unique achievements of the entire region and Muslim civilization.

 

It can be stated with confidence that this complex will take a достойное place among the world’s prestigious museums. In particular, visitors coming from the United Kingdom are eagerly awaiting its official opening.”

 

 

Karomiddin Gadoev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Malaysia:

 

“Every person who enters here gradually feels the deep roots, rich culture, and history of the Uzbek people, from the Stone Age to the era of New Uzbekistan. Frankly speaking, as a representative of the academic sphere, I know our country’s history well and have visited many museums. However, one question always troubled me: why do we not have a large complex like the Louvre in Paris or the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg that fully and systematically reflects our history? Today, I found the answer to this question right here.

 

Standing here, I once again felt proud to be the son of such a great nation. I am convinced that once the Center opens, it will become a favorite destination not only for local residents but also for tourists from neighboring countries and distant abroad, further enhancing Uzbekistan’s prestige on a global scale. For all this, we express our gratitude to our President.”

 

Nodirjon Turgunov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia:

 

“This complex has been organized in an extremely engaging manner not only for adults but also for young people, middle-aged individuals, and the elderly. Since we worked together with the Center in Saudi Arabia during the creation of the ‘First Renaissance’ section, this section seemed especially interesting to me. Because seeing the results of one’s labor being enjoyed by the public is, in my opinion, the highest form of appreciation.”

 

 

Bakhtiyor Ibrohimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Austria:

 

“Our visit to the Center left a very deep impression on all of us. During the construction of this complex, Uzbekistan’s embassies and representative offices abroad actively participated and contributed to bringing unique artifacts from museums in various countries. As a result, the invaluable contribution of Islamic civilization to world development has been vividly demonstrated in a single, unified space.

 

This Center is an extremely unique and strategically important project implemented on the initiative of our President. The complex stands out in that it presents Islamic civilization not as separate periods or regions, but as an organic and continuous historical process. It is precisely this aspect that fundamentally distinguishes it from other museums and centers.

 

I am confident that every visitor to this Center will leave with strong impressions and deep knowledge. This place will become an important cultural and scientific center that not only showcases our national heritage, but also reveals Uzbekistan’s immense contribution to Islamic civilization on an international scale.”

 

 

Oybek Shakhavdinov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Hungary and Serbia:

 

“This Center is truly astonishing. Everyone who sees it is left under a strong impression. It is a place that inspires pride for the Uzbek people. We sincerely take pride in the fact that such a high-level Center exists in Tashkent, in Uzbekistan.

 

The most pleasing aspect is that this Center has already generated great interest among our foreign partners. I am currently the ambassador to Hungary and also cover Serbia on a concurrent basis. Last year, when the President of Serbia visited Uzbekistan and saw this Center, he gave a special instruction to his Minister of Culture to send five or six experts to closely study how this Center was built and the concept on which it operates. Work in this direction is currently underway.

 

I believe that such interest will not be limited to Serbia alone. Other countries will certainly also show interest, because a Center of this level and content currently exists only in Uzbekistan. This is a great source of joy and pride for us, because this place presents our history and traditions not only to foreign guests, but also to our own people in a deep and impactful way.

 

This Center was built over eight years, and I can say that this effort has fully justified itself. In my opinion, creating a better Center than this would be difficult. This complex is perfect in every respect in content, technological solutions, design, and harmony of ideas.

 

Frankly speaking, Serbia cannot yet build a Center of this level. They may implement their own unique projects, but not at this scale and depth. It is no coincidence that they want to study Uzbekistan’s experience, especially ahead of ‘Expo 2027’ to be held in Belgrade, for which this experience is extremely important.

 

However, I can say with confidence that building a Center of this level within seven to eight years is a quality unique to our people. Our people are extremely hardworking, responsible, and capable of assuming great responsibility. Thanks to these qualities, such a great and astonishing Center has come into existence.”

 

 

 

 

At the conclusion of the visit, it was emphasized that this Center, established on the initiative of the Head of State, is a unique cultural and educational destination not only for Uzbekistan but on a global scale, and that in the future it will also become an attractive destination for tourists.