From the legacy of our ancestors to the ideas of the future: What is taking shape at the crossroads of the third renaissance?
The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, organized an educational and academic event titled “The Crossroads of the Third Renaissance.” The event brought together participants from the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training in the Religious and Educational Sphere under the Committee on Religious Affairs, as well as students of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.
During the event, participants explored the Center’s museum exhibitions, library, and international academic and educational platform. They were also provided with detailed information about the religious and educational reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as ongoing efforts to study, preserve, and promote the nation’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.
A documentary dedicated to the lives and scholarly legacy of the great Muslim scholars was screened for the participants and received with great interest.
During the guided tour, the guests learned about the prominent thinkers of the First and Second Renaissance periods, their remarkable contributions to the advancement of global science and scholarship, and the initiatives being undertaken in New Uzbekistan to lay the foundations for the Third Renaissance.
The state-of-the-art exhibitions, rare manuscripts, and historical sources presented through modern technologies left a lasting impression on the participants.
The participants also became acquainted with the activities of the Center’s international academic and educational platform. The masterclasses, scholarly discussions, and intellectual dialogues organized there have become an important forum that brings together researchers, scholars, and experts.
According to Alijon Ravshanov, Senior Lecturer at the Tashkent Islamic Institute named after Imam Bukhari, the Islamic Civilization Center has become one of the country’s leading academic institutions contributing to Uzbekistan’s spiritual, educational, and intellectual development.
“This Center preserves the invaluable scholarly legacy of our ancestors. Studying, researching, and passing this heritage on to the younger generation is one of the most important tasks of our time. The sessions devoted to state–religion relations, educational reforms, and modern approaches to interpreting our national heritage have been especially valuable for us. Today, the idea of the Third Renaissance is being actively promoted. To fully understand its essence, we must first gain a profound knowledge of the scholarly traditions established by our people and the legacy of our great thinkers. The Islamic Civilization Center is becoming a key academic and educational institution fulfilling this mission. Here, history is not merely displayed — it is transformed into a source of ideas for the future. It is truly encouraging to see young people exploring the legacy of our ancestors and striving to harmonize it with the needs of contemporary development,” said Alijon Ravshanov.
Gulomjon Bobojonov, Chief Imam-Khatib of Tuprokkala District in the Khorezm Region, also shared his impressions of the visit.
“The lectures and discussions held here left a profound impression on us. As we toured the Center’s exhibitions, we once again realized the immense significance of the First and Second Renaissance periods in our nation’s history. At the same time, we came to understand that the idea of the Third Renaissance is not merely a slogan, but a comprehensive process that requires the active participation of all of us. We will strive to share the knowledge and inspiration we gained here with people in our own communities. It is difficult to fully appreciate the importance of this Center without visiting it in person. Therefore, we should encourage our youth, students, and the wider public to experience it firsthand. The Center inspires people to pursue knowledge, engage in research, and study the legacy of our ancestors in depth. Most importantly, the academic and educational environment created here motivates every visitor to generate new ideas and initiatives,” said Gulomjon Bobojonov.
According to the participants, the Center’s masterclasses, scholarly discussions, and intellectual dialogues are among the most significant initiatives for promoting the ideals of the Third Renaissance, strengthening young people’s interest in the nation’s rich heritage, and advancing the development of science and scholarship.