Today, the Grand Egyptian Museum complex in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is hosting an international media event titled “Uzbekistan – Egypt: Dialogue of Civilizations and Heritage”. As part of this event, the international presentation of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, one of the largest educational and scientific projects of New Uzbekistan, is being held.
The event is being organized jointly by the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Egypt, and the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU).
Historical and civilizational ties
The media event aims to further strengthen the historical and spiritual bridges between Uzbekistan and Egypt — two great centers that laid the foundations for the development of Islamic scholarship, culture, theology, hadith studies, calligraphy, and the arts.
For centuries, the works of prominent scholars of Mawarannahr such as Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Tirmidhi, Imam al-Maturidi, al-Marghinani, and al-Zamakhshari were extensively studied at the renowned Al-Azhar complex and significantly influenced Egypt’s Islamic educational system. The close political and cultural ties between Egypt and Central Asia during the Mamluk era, as well as the shared traditions of manuscript production and book arts, constitute the central conceptual theme of the event.
“Established at the initiative of our esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is not only a complex showcasing our nation’s rich scholarly and spiritual heritage, but also a platform for international cultural and academic dialogue. This presentation in Cairo will further strengthen the centuries-old civilizational ties between Uzbekistan and Egypt. Today, in New Uzbekistan, the study, preservation, and promotion of the invaluable legacy left by our ancestors have been elevated to the level of state policy. The presentation of the Islamic Civilization Center in one of the leading intellectual centers of the Islamic world, such as Egypt, serves as an important international recognition of the cultural diplomacy and educational reforms being implemented in our country. Through this event, we aim to further enrich global understanding of the legacy of our great scholars, the contribution of Mawarannahr to world civilization, and New Uzbekistan’s policy of open cooperation,” said Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan.
“The Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan – The Property of All Humanity” exhibition
As part of the event, a special exhibition will be organized for guests and representatives of the international media. The exhibition will feature:
◾️ A collection of book-albums published by WOSCU;
◾️ High-quality facsimile copies of ancient Islamic manuscripts;
◾️ Masterpieces of Islamic art, Oriental miniatures, and reproductions;
◾️ Unique multimedia projects and presentations dedicated to the Uthman Mushaf and the Qur’ans of Mawarannahr.
High-level participation and cooperation
The cultural and academic forum will bring together government officials, scholars, and cultural figures from both countries. Speakers at the international event will include Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Jehan Zaki, Egypt’s Minister of Culture; Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan; Ahmed Ghoneim, Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Egyptian Museum; as well as representatives of the Al-Azhar complex, the international organization ICESCO, Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf, and leading academic and museum institutions.
At the conclusion of the event, media briefings and interviews will be organized for journalists. In addition, B2B and institutional meetings are planned between ministries, government agencies, and research institutions to discuss the implementation of new joint projects.
This event, which highlights New Uzbekistan’s growing role as a center of international cultural cooperation and “museum diplomacy”, is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Egypt.
