Euronews Executive Claus Strunz recognized the educational significance of the Islamic Civilization Center
According to Claus Strunz, his visit to the Center made a powerful impression on him from the very first moments. In particular, he was struck not only by the grandeur of the complex, but also by the way the exhibitions present historical processes in an interconnected manner and transform the visit into a meaningful educational experience.
“My first impression was extremely powerful. The scale and grandeur of the Center create a remarkable sense of awe. Even a two-hour visit became a significant learning experience for me. I was deeply inspired by what I saw here, and the Center truly amazed me,” Claus Strunz said.
The Uthman Mushaf, dating back to the 7th century and displayed in the Holy Qur’an Hall — a space of particular spiritual and conceptual significance within the Center — made an especially strong impression on Claus Strunz. He also emphasized that all the exhibitions at the Center are thematically interconnected and together present the various historical stages of Islamic civilization as a coherent whole.
“The Uthman Mushaf is, of course, one of the most impressive artifacts. A person may have the opportunity to see such a rare source perhaps only once in a lifetime. Another aspect that made a strong impression on me is the way all the sections of the Center are harmoniously interconnected. Together, they create a complete journey across centuries and historical periods, offering an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Islam,” he noted.
Claus Strunz also highlighted the initiative to establish the Center, noting that the idea advanced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reflects profound vision and a forward-looking approach. In his view, one of the most important aspects of a project of this scale is that it is intended to serve not only the present generation, but future generations as well.
“A project of this scale must be driven by profound vision. Most importantly, it has been created not only for people living today, but also for future generations. In my view, this is precisely what makes it especially significant,” the Euronews Executive said.
Claus Strunz also placed particular emphasis on the Center’s educational significance for international audiences. In his view, it is especially important today to present knowledge about Islam and its civilizational heritage to the wider public in an objective and accessible manner. Through its historical sources and rich cultural heritage, the Center offers broad opportunities for gaining a deeper understanding of Islam.
“At present, it is very important to introduce this Center to as wide an audience as possible. Here, people have the opportunity to gain a much deeper understanding of the essence of Islam. For television channels such as ours, conveying the knowledge and information available here to audiences in Western Europe is, in a sense, a professional responsibility. There is considerable interest in this subject there, but there are also misunderstandings. The most effective way to address misunderstandings is through information. That is precisely the role we seek to fulfill,” Claus Strunz noted.
The impressions shared by the Euronews executive demonstrate that the significance of the Islamic Civilization Center extends far beyond the preservation and display of historical monuments. The integration of rare written heritage, centuries of scholarly and cultural experience, and modern museum technologies within a unified conceptual space has transformed the Center into a major educational platform for presenting Islamic civilization to international audiences in a profound, meaningful, and objective manner.