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Speaking at the international conference held as part of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum in Samarkand, Allahshukur Pashazade described the legacy of Imam Bukhari as “a shared spiritual treasure of the entire Islamic civilization” and highly praised Uzbekistan’s efforts to preserve and promote this heritage on the international stage. According to him, the growing scholarly and spiritual cooperation centered on this historic legacy is elevating not only relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan but also civilizational dialogue among the Turkic and Muslim worlds to a new level.

At the international conference titled “Imam Bukhari’s Al-Jami’ as-Sahih: The Book of the Ummah,” held within the framework of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum in Samarkand, Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board and Sheikh ul-Islam, conveyed the sincere greetings and best wishes of the people of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev to the people of Uzbekistan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He emphasized that the historic bonds of brotherhood between the two nations are being further strengthened through cooperation in the spiritual and educational spheres.

The Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board highly commended Uzbekistan’s extensive efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of Islamic civilization. Reflecting on the significance of the conference, he underscored the enduring greatness of Imam Bukhari’s legacy.

“Uzbekistan’s greatest gift to the world of Hadith scholarship is Imam Bukhari and his rich intellectual legacy. The mausoleum of Imam Bukhari is not only a sacred pilgrimage site but also an invaluable spiritual and cultural treasure of the entire Islamic civilization. It is as precious to every Uzbek as it is to the entire Muslim world,” the Sheikh ul-Islam said.

Allahshukur Pashazade noted that he considers Uzbekistan his second homeland and recalled personally witnessing the early stages of the restoration of Imam Bukhari’s mausoleum.

“I had the privilege of taking part in the restoration of this sacred site, which had been devastated during the atheist regime, when I was young. Today, seeing that the prayers we offered together with our teachers for this holy place to regain its rightful grandeur have been answered fills my heart with boundless joy,” he said.

In his address, the Sheikh ul-Islam described the establishment of the Imam Bukhari Complex and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as a historic achievement of great significance.

“We express our profound respect and sincere gratitude to the esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, whose leadership has further elevated the glory of Samarkand, transformed the mausoleum of Imam Bukhari into a magnificent complex befitting its sacred status, and established the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. These achievements stand as a vivid testament to Uzbekistan’s deep respect for its history, religion, and spiritual values,” he emphasized.

The Sheikh ul-Islam also spoke highly of the activities of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and its Chairman, Mufti Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiqnazar, particularly their efforts in the field of religious enlightenment. He further noted that cooperation among Muslim religious leaders within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States continues to develop steadily, announcing that the next meeting, along with an international conference dedicated to the legacy of Sayyid Yahya Bakuvi, will be held in Baku this September.

In his remarks, he also praised Uzbekistan’s efforts to promote the legacy of such great scholars as Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmidhi, and Imam Maturidi on the global stage, noting that these initiatives have received widespread international recognition.

“The fundamental work being carried out in Uzbekistan today is receiving the recognition it deserves from the international community. The legacy of the great thinkers of Islam is increasingly being acknowledged as the shared heritage of all humanity. I sincerely thank the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, ICESCO, and all the scholars and experts contributing to this noble mission. May Almighty Allah always protect the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan,” Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade said.