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As part of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum, hosted by Tashkent, Samarkand and Termez from 7 to 11 July, a presentation dedicated to the Imam Maturidi Innovative Museum project and its scholarly concept was held at the international conference titled “The Legacy of Imam Maturidi: The Foundation of Moderation, Tolerance and Enlightenment” in Samarkand.

The presentation highlighted the extensive construction and development work being carried out pursuant to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s resolution on the broad celebration of the 1,155th anniversary of Imam Maturidi’s birth. It was noted that a new mausoleum, a modern mosque, and scholarly and educational facilities are currently being built within the Imam Maturidi Complex and the adjacent ancient Chokardiza cemetery in Samarkand. Moreover, archaeological research has uncovered the mausoleum of Burhanuddin Marghinani, the great scholar and author of “Al-Hidayah” who left an indelible mark on the history of Islamic jurisprudence. His mausoleum is also being restored as part of the complex.

The presentation also introduced the concept of the Imam Maturidi Innovative Museum, an important component of the Imam Maturidi Complex. The project was developed by Türkiye’s Outdoor Factory company based on scholarly sources provided by the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center. The museum’s exhibitions are being designed using contemporary design principles, digital technologies, and interactive solutions.

During the presentation, Ikhtiyor Abdurahmonov, a leading researcher at the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, provided detailed information about the museum’s scholarly concept and the content of its exhibition halls.

According to him, modern multimedia technologies will be used to present the history of the formation of the sciences of aqidah and kalam, the life and scholarly legacy of Imam Maturidi, the spread of the Maturidi school of thought from Transoxiana throughout the Islamic world, the history of the Chokardiza cemetery, and contemporary efforts to study and promote the great scholar’s legacy.

“The museum’s primary objective is to make Imam Maturidi’s rich scholarly legacy accessible to the wider public through modern technologies. All exhibitions are being developed on the basis of reliable historical sources. Through interactive solutions, visitors will not only view the exhibits but will also have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the scholar’s life, intellectual school, and the essence of Maturidi thought. In the future, the museum will become a major scholarly, educational, and digital pilgrimage centre that will contribute to the development of international academic cooperation,” said Ikhtiyor Abdurahmonov.

The museum’s main exhibition halls were also presented during the event. In particular, it was noted that the development of the sciences of aqidah and kalam, the intellectual environment of Imam Maturidi’s era, the global spread of Maturidi thought, the history of the Chokardiza cemetery, and archaeological discoveries would be presented through modern museum solutions.

Forum participants highly praised the project, emphasising its importance in promoting Imam Maturidi’s rich scholarly legacy internationally, educating the younger generation in the spirit of enlightenment and tolerance, and developing pilgrimage tourism.