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Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, visited the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The distinguished guest was welcomed by the Center’s Director, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, who introduced him to the museum’s exhibitions and provided detailed information about the Center’s scholarly and educational concept, as well as its international significance.

While touring the exhibitions, the ICESCO Director-General paid particular attention to the First Renaissance period, the spread of Islam in Transoxiana, and the close connection between this process and the flourishing of science and civilization.

Following the tour, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik emphasized that the Center holds profound spiritual and scholarly significance not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire Islamic world.

“I first saw this Center as an idea, and later during its construction. Today, I have witnessed it fully realized and it has surpassed even my highest expectations. This Center is the embodiment of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s vision, aspiration, and long-term strategic foresight. When a dream becomes reality, it becomes a source of pride not only for the person who conceived it, but for an entire nation. Today, this is a Center of which not only Uzbekistan, but the entire Islamic world can be proud.

This institution vividly showcases the rich heritage of Islamic civilization and the extraordinary contributions of Muslim scholars to the advancement of humanity. Through the legacy of Ibn Sina, Biruni, Ulugh Beg, Farabi, and many other great scholars, visitors can see how Islamic civilization was built upon knowledge, intellectual inquiry, and scientific discovery. To me, the Islamic Civilization Center is not merely a museum or an architectural masterpiece — it is a platform of civilization that we must preserve and never forget.

It is a great honor for ICESCO to have its representative office in such a magnificent institution. This reflects a strategic partnership dedicated to preserving heritage, safeguarding manuscripts, expanding knowledge, and presenting the true image of Islamic civilization to the world. To further strengthen this cooperation, I propose the establishment of a joint committee between ICESCO and the Islamic Civilization Center. This committee will develop new ideas and practical initiatives while engaging ICESCO Member States in these efforts.

This Center is a beacon of civilization — a place that promotes knowledge and upholds the ideals of peace and cooperation. May Allah bless the President of Uzbekistan, the people of Uzbekistan, and this Islamic Civilization Center,” said Dr. Salim AlMalik.

The establishment of an ICESCO representative office at the Center will elevate this partnership to an institutional and operational level. In turn, it will provide a solid foundation for new joint initiatives in the fields of science, education, youth development, and intercultural dialogue.

At the conclusion of the visit, the ICESCO Director-General recorded his impressions in the Center’s Book of Honored Guests. His heartfelt remarks served as a strong endorsement of the Center’s growing reputation as a distinguished institution that connects the heritage of Islamic civilization with modern scholarship, education, and international dialogue.

Established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan has become an important intellectual bridge linking the past with the future, and the nation’s rich heritage with global scholarship. This visit further reinforced the Center’s international recognition, highlighting Uzbekistan’s enduring contribution to the history of Islamic civilization and the advancement of global knowledge with renewed significance and prestige.