Islamic Civilization Center outlines global expansion plans with UN and UNESCO

The presidential press service reported that the visitors included more than 150 international delegations and over 2,000 individual foreign guests.

With an average daily attendance hovering around 6,000 people, the complex has officially entered the Guinness World Records as the largest museum dedicated to Islamic civilization anywhere in the world.

Since opening its doors, the institution has successfully executed 810 scientific projects involving approximately 2,000 scholars. It has also hosted more than 5,000 separate events, including academic conferences, seminars, and book presentations. These efforts have directly aided the repatriation of more than 1,000 historical artifacts to Uzbekistan. The center’s library repository now holds over 3,000 rare publications, including 762 specialized editions adapted for individuals with physical disabilities.

Academic integration and youth outreach

Looking ahead, the center's administration aims to elevate its academic standing by securing indexation for its scholarly journal in prestigious global databases like Scopus and Web of Science. Additional plans include building a comprehensive digital catalog of ancient manuscripts and launching a unified digital platform to connect various scientific centers.

The institution also plans to establish an Islamic Enlightenment scholarship program. This initiative is designed to bring up to 20,000 young people, including practicing imams and religious figures, into the center's educational and research activities.

Establishing a permanent artifact recovery network

President Mirziyoyev placed special emphasis on the repatriation of historical Uzbek heritage during the working meeting. He directed officials to establish a permanent national mechanism dedicated to identifying, locating, and retrieving Uzbek artifacts held in foreign collections. This directive includes the creation of a unified digital database and an international registry tracking Uzbekistan's cultural property worldwide. Furthermore, the government will fund a specialized scientific conservation laboratory, which will be the first of its kind in Central Asia.

To promote its mission globally, the center plans to host the inaugural International Islamic Forum under the title "Islamic Civilization: The Path of Peace, Tolerance, and Enlightenment." The state will also sponsor dedicated presentations at the United Nations, UNESCO, and across 55 countries. Collaborative initiatives are already being structured with premier institutions, including the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, ICESCO, IRCICA, and TURKSOY.

The state will invest heavily in expanding media outreach and pilgrimage infrastructure. These plans involve organizing tailored press tours for foreign journalists, hosting international media forums, and upgrading hospitality facilities for pilgrims and travelers visiting the nearby Imam Bukhari complex. The president approved the strategic proposals and instructed ministries to systematically expand the center's publishing, research, digitalization, and international outreach programs.