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Today, Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, and the National University of Malaysia (UKM). These official documents, signed by representatives of the academic communities of Uzbekistan and Malaysia at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, will not only strengthen academic cooperation between the two countries but also open new opportunities for broad-based collaboration aimed at studying the heritage of Islamic civilization, researching manuscripts, and promoting the scholarly legacy of great thinkers on the international stage.

Special attention is being paid in Uzbekistan to strengthening national identity, conducting in-depth studies of the nation’s rich historical and spiritual heritage, and widely promoting the scholarly legacy of its great scholars at the international level. The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is emerging as a modern cultural and educational platform of both national and international significance dedicated to these goals.

Recently, a presentation was held before the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the Center’s achievements and its future development plans. Discussions focused on advancing research and publishing activities to a new level and expanding international cooperation.

As another example of such international collaboration, cooperation memorandums were signed between the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, and the National University of Malaysia (UKM). This milestone is expected to elevate cooperation in science, education, cultural heritage studies, research activities, and international academic relations to a new stage.

During the event, the parties agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of Islamic civilization history, manuscript studies, research exchanges, and the development of joint scientific projects. According to participants, these agreements represent a natural continuation of the increasingly active academic and educational relations between Uzbekistan and Malaysia in recent years.

Speakers at the ceremony emphasized that the two countries are united not only by modern diplomatic relations but also by a shared scholarly and spiritual heritage connected to Islamic civilization.

At the beginning of the program, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, delivered the opening remarks:

“In recent years, under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Supreme Head of State of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, the historical ties between our two countries have reached a new level. Central Asia, particularly the territory of present-day Uzbekistan, has long been a crossroads of science, trade, culture, and enlightenment. The scholarly legacy of such great thinkers as Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, Abu Rayhan Biruni, Ibn Sina, and Mirzo Ulugbek is highly valued not only in our region but throughout the Muslim world, including Malaysia.

The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, in cooperation with various Malaysian institutions and organizations, has been organizing international conferences, cultural and educational events, meetings, and dialogues. Cooperation with the National University of Malaysia will further enrich these efforts. We regard the memorandum to be signed today between the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, and the National University of Malaysia not merely as a formal document, but as an important step toward continuing these great scholarly traditions and expanding international academic cooperation”.

To date, the Center has organized two major photo exhibitions in Malaysia showcasing the history and contemporary life of Uzbekistan. In cooperation with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, a special book-album dedicated to artifacts related to Uzbekistan has also been published.

During the event, the Rector of the National University of Malaysia, Professor Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh, began his remarks by expressing gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for initiating the establishment of such an important institution:

“This center will become a global hub for Islamic scholarship and civilization. A memorandum of cooperation has been signed between the National University of Malaysia and the Islamic Civilization Center. Its objective is to promote joint research, scholar exchanges, and in-depth studies of our shared intellectual heritage.

In addition, a scientific platform will be established to integrate contemporary Islamic scholarship and innovation, while exploring this legacy through the contributions of great scholars such as Ibn Sina, Khwarizmi, and Maturidi.

The Islamic Civilization Center, established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will serve as a museum, library, and research institution, helping to transform Tashkent once again into an international center of science and knowledge”.

Komiljon Shermukhamedov, Director of the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, stated:

“Malaysia holds special significance for Uzbekistan not only as one of our strategic partners in Southeast Asia but also as a leading country in science, development, and the advancement of Islamic civilization.

Today’s event, organized within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, and the National University of Malaysia, is a practical manifestation of this cooperation. In recent years, numerous memorandums have been signed between Malaysian and Uzbek higher education and research institutions, and this partnership continues to develop steadily.

In particular, during the visit of Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, in May, several cooperation agreements were signed, including memorandums between the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and a number of scientific centers in Uzbekistan.

Such agreements create broad opportunities for us, especially in the areas of student and researcher exchanges, professional development programs, and the implementation of joint scientific projects.

We also highly value the scholarly contributions of Professor Fariza Sham, Director of the Institute of Islam Hadhari at the National University of Malaysia. Translating her works into Uzbek is expected to further enrich our academic cooperation”.

The final and most significant stage of the event was the signing of cooperation memorandums between the National University of Malaysia and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, as well as between the National University of Malaysia and the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center.

Fariza Md Sham, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and International Cooperation at the National University of Malaysia, also addressed the participants. She emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science, Islamic studies, education, political science, and governance. She further expressed strong hopes for the development of academic exchange programs, manuscript studies, and joint research projects related to history and cultural heritage.

In addition, the National University of Malaysia proposed the establishment of a Center for Islamization, as well as a dedicated office to facilitate research activities for university scholars. As part of these initiatives, representatives of the academic communities of both countries agreed to develop a joint Roadmap aimed at achieving effective and practical outcomes in future cooperation.