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Today, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan once again became a major platform for international scholarly dialogue. In cooperation with Malaysia, an international scientific and practical conference titled “Scientific Tradition in Islamic Civilization: Resources, Potential, and Challenges,” was held there.

The conference, organized with the participation of Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, was dedicated to further enriching academic and educational cooperation between the two countries, as well as jointly researching and promoting the spiritual heritage left by our great ancestors. More than 300 participants attended the event, including representatives of government institutions, heads of higher educational establishments, research centers, leading scholars, researchers, experts, representatives of spiritual and educational circles, as well as young specialists and students from various countries.

At the opening ceremony of this important scientific and practical conference, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, spoke about the growing cooperation between the two countries. He noted that since the early days of its activity, the Center has been organizing various international conferences, cultural and educational events, meetings, and dialogues with a number of Malaysian institutions and organizations.

In recent years, under the leadership of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, King of Malaysia, the historical relations between the two friendly nations have entered a new stage.

So far, the Center has organized two major photo exhibitions in Malaysia dedicated to the history and modern life of Uzbekistan. Representatives of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan have visited this friendly country on more than ten official trips. Malaysian partners also regularly participate in international conferences held in Uzbekistan.

In February 2025, within the framework of the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Malaysia, the Center organized an international conference, a series of meetings, exhibitions, roundtable discussions, and presentations in Kuala Lumpur. Memorandums were also signed with several Malaysian scientific and educational institutions.

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is considered one of the Center’s permanent partners. Last year, within the framework of the “Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan” project and with a foreword by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a special book-album was published about artifacts related to Uzbekistan preserved in this museum. The international scientific and practical dialogue held today at the Center in cooperation with Malaysia serves to further strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, deepen the understanding of our shared culture and history, and enhance relations between different civilizations.

Established on the basis of the personal ideas and initiatives of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is becoming a major scientific and educational institution specializing not only in the study of Islamic civilization and Eastern cultural heritage in our country, but throughout the entire region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah emphasized the great importance of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan in studying Islamic culture, history, and heritage on a global scale. She highlighted that researching Islamic heritage and defining its place in world civilization is of utmost importance today.

“Uzbekistan is the homeland of great scholars. The legacy of such outstanding figures as Imam Bukhari, Abu Mansur Moturidi, and Imam Tirmidhi, who emerged from this land, continues to be studied throughout the Islamic world. We must pay great attention to passing on their works and scholarly views to future generations and widely promoting the universal ideas presented in their writings. I believe cooperation between our two countries in this area will yield significant results,” said the Queen of Malaysia.

Among the speakers at the event were Muzaffar Kamilov, Head of Department at the Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education Datu’ Seri Diraja Zambry Abdul Kadir; Uzbekistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Kongratbay Sharipov; Professor Alparslan Açıkgenç of Ibn Haldun University in Türkiye; and others. They discussed the prospects of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia, important issues in researching the heritage of Islamic civilization, and the development of academic and educational ties.

In addition, within the framework of the conference agenda, scholars from both countries delivered scientific presentations at panel sessions on topics such as “Knowledge and Its Definitions and Traditions,” “Science and Education in the Muslim World,” and “Modern Challenges and Scientific Paradigms.” Memorandums were signed between several scientific and educational institutions and higher educational establishments of Malaysia and Uzbekistan.

As part of the conference, excursions around the building of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan and tours of the museum expositions left a strong impression on the guests. Professor Alparslan Açıkgenç of Ibn Haldun University in Türkiye described the inclusion of the Center in the Guinness World Records as a highly joyful event.

“In the hadiths of our Prophet (peace be upon him), it is stated that seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman. I was deeply delighted to read this noble hadith on the entrance portal of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. It is also extremely gratifying that this Center, as the largest Islamic civilization museum in the Islamic world, has been included in the Guinness World Records. The establishment of such a Center in Uzbekistan demonstrates the high level of attention given in this country to science, cultural heritage, and Islamic values,” he said.