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PRESS RELEASE

On 9 July 2026, the international conference titled “The Legacy of Imam Maturidi: The Foundation of Moderation, Tolerance, and Enlightenment” will be held in Samarkand.

Today, there is a clear need to systematically continue the work initiated in the study of Imam Maturidi and the Maturidi school of thought and to elevate it to a new stage of development.

Relevance of the Conference

The importance of advancing the study of Imam Maturidi and the Maturidi tradition is underscored by several key factors:

• As the homeland of Imam Maturidi, Uzbekistan is uniquely positioned to study, preserve, and promote the Maturidi school of thought.
• The Maturidi tradition, with its enduring principles of moderation, tolerance, and humanism, developed over centuries in harmony with the historical and cultural characteristics of the region, is increasingly recognized as an effective intellectual framework for countering radicalism.
• In recent years, large-scale reforms in the religious and educational sphere initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have contributed to the emergence of a strong academic school of Maturidi studies in the country. Uzbek scholars specializing in Maturidi studies actively participate in international conferences and academic seminars.
• Conducting scholarly research on the Maturidi school in light of contemporary challenges and promoting its teachings on a broader scale contributes to strengthening doctrinal unity among Muslims across Central Asia, South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh), Europe, and Asia Minor (Türkiye, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania), where approximately 40 percent of the world's Muslim population resides.

Conference Organizers

The conference is jointly organized by the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Committee on Religious Affairs, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, and the Imam Termizi International Scientific Research Center.

Participants

The conference will bring together ministers, grand muftis, distinguished scholars of Islamic and religious studies, specialists in Maturidi studies, public officials, representatives of religious institutions, and professors from Al-Azhar University, as well as delegates from Russia, Egypt, Türkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, India, and other countries of the Muslim world.

Venue

The conference will take place at the Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex in the Samarkand Region.

The conference will be organized around the following thematic sessions:

1. The Role of Imam Maturidi and His Followers in the Development of Kalam (Islamic Theology).

2. The Study of Imam Maturidi and the Maturidi School of Thought in the Contemporary World.

3. The Significance of the Maturidi School of Thought in Promoting a Culture of Tolerance and the Advancement of Science in the Era of Globalization.

The first session will focus on scholarly discussions and academic debates on the life and legacy of Imam Maturidi and his followers, as well as the historical development of the Mawarannahr school of kalam.

The second session will examine the key principles of the Maturidi tradition, including the development of its concepts of tolerance, moderation, and enlightenment.

The third session will explore the contemporary relevance of the scholarly legacy of Imam Maturidi and his followers, with particular attention to its theoretical and practical contributions to addressing today's global challenges.

At the conclusion of the conference, prominent scholars will present proposals and initiatives aimed at advancing the study of Imam Maturidi's intellectual legacy and the Maturidi school of thought to a new stage of development.

Expected Outcomes

1. The international academic community will be introduced to the significant achievements made in Uzbekistan in recent years in the study of Imam Maturidi and the Maturidi tradition, as well as to the essence of the country’s ongoing reforms in the religious and educational sphere.

2. The conference will establish promising partnerships with leading international scholars of Maturidi studies, prestigious foreign universities, and international research institutions. It will also provide a platform for discussing joint research projects focused on the study, translation, and publication of manuscripts related to the Maturidi school.

3. The conference will facilitate the integration of Uzbek scholars, doctoral candidates, and researchers specializing in Maturidi studies into the global academic community.

4. Television programs, interviews, and documentary films highlighting the authentic teachings of the Maturidi school will be produced, incorporating the views and scholarly conclusions of internationally recognized experts in Maturidi studies alongside those of Uzbekistan’s leading scholars.

5. Based on the presentations and scholarly contributions of leading Islamic scholars participating in the conference, academic responses will be developed to refute the ideological claims of extremist movements.

Cultural Program

As part of the cultural program, participants will visit the Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex, the Mausoleum of Imam Maturidi, and other historic landmarks in Samarkand.

The conference will receive extensive coverage through local and international media outlets, as well as across online news platforms.