News

During the visit, members of the creative community familiarized themselves with the main exhibitions of the Center’s museum, including sections dedicated to the First and Second Renaissances, collections of manuscripts and written sources, and exhibits reflecting Islamic spirituality and scholarly heritage. As the writers noted, these exhibitions make it vividly perceptible that, on this land, word, knowledge, and thought have developed in an organic and continuous manner over many centuries.

In particular, the sections highlighting ancient manuscripts, the works of great thinkers, and traditions of enlightenment left a deep impression on the creative figures. In their view, this heritage continues to serve as a source of inspiration for contemporary literary processes as well.

“The Islamic Civilization Center is a magnificent institution where history and modernity converge, established on the initiative of our President — the chief architect of today’s New Uzbekistan. This land is a sacred space associated with great figures such as Hazrat Alisher Navoi, Jami, and Wasifi. Their legacy, as well as their scholarly and spiritual traces, is vividly reflected here.

Uzbekistan — our Motherland — possesses an immense heritage composed of multiple historical layers and profound transformations. Even the brief moment we have just spent observing only a single layer, or even a single corridor, of this history has left a deep impression. In this sense, it felt as though we ourselves became guests of our own history. The amazement and admiration of foreign visitors to the Center — particularly the participants of the 46th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia — are a special source of pride. For what is displayed here represents only a thousandth part of our historical wealth. Numerous manuscripts and historical artifacts belonging to us are preserved in museums, libraries, and rare collections around the world. Undoubtedly, the time will come when they return to their homeland.

However, the most important task is to raise a generation worthy of this vast history. This is a sacred responsibility shared by all of us parents, teachers, and society as a whole. Young people must understand whose children they are, where they come from, and where they are headed; they must grow through knowledge and books. When a child is shown the right path, they will find their way. Hazrat Babur did not say in vain: ‘How can one find the path without a guide?’

Today, responsibility for upbringing is jointly borne by parents within the family, teachers at school, and the community within society. This is not about control, but about creating an environment that sharpens thought and leads toward books, knowledge, and reflection. Such a profound history does not exist in every nation. As Erkin Vohidov wrote: ‘Your history lies hidden across a thousand centuries, my Uzbek.’ Here, we have clearly witnessed the living testimony of that millennia-old history.

This Center — built through the achievements of contemporary architecture, ornamentation, decorative arts, and miniature painting can only be celebrated, experienced, comprehended, and studied. For a person who knows their homeland and understands their history will never betray it.”

Sirojiddin Sayyid, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan

“Indeed, one of the most important challenges facing today’s world is enlightenment. For where there is enlightenment, there is knowledge; where there is knowledge, high moral values are formed, history is understood, and tolerance takes root. Only in such an environment can humanity build a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious world for its own well-being and for the destiny of future generations.

There are many museums around the world, and many places that speak of the past. However, the essential nature of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established on the initiative of our esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is entirely distinctive. Here, the activities of scholars, theologians, statesmen, craftsmen, creative figures, and bearers of knowledge who matured within the spiritual values of Islam are clearly presented as being directed of course toward the happiness and progress of humanity. The knowledge they produced served not only this region, but the advancement of the entire world.

If we were to express this idea in the President’s own formulation, in just two words, it would be this: the supremacy of enlightenment over ignorance. This spirit permeates the museum from beginning to end every exhibit and every display conveys the light of enlightenment and calls the human heart toward knowledge. From this perspective, the educational and formative significance of this institution is truly incomparable.

What is presented here is not merely the history of a single nation or a particular region, but the legacy of great individuals who, over the centuries, have bestowed noble gifts upon humanity. It shows how their knowledge and intellectual thought served the perfection and advancement of humankind. The Center creates an opportunity for deep reflection on how this heritage functioned as a school, as a center of learning, and as a source of civilizational continuity.

If I am not mistaken, this is my third visit here. During my first visit, I gained one level of understanding; on my subsequent visit, new dimensions were revealed. Today, however, I am leaving this place with an entirely new mode of thinking, a new worldview, a renewed spirit, and most importantly a new purpose in my heart. This purpose leads a person toward goodness and creativity. It also places upon us a lasting responsibility to serve the cause of ensuring that enlightenment always prevails over ignorance.”

Minhajiddin Mirzo, First Deputy Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan

“I came here three days in a row due to major meetings that recently took place. Yet even in three days, it is impossible to fully comprehend this Center. One needs to come here for days, even months, to study it thoroughly because it is an immense treasure. I study history myself and write literary works, yet I had not imagined that our history was so extraordinarily rich. Truly, I am astonished.

I found myself thinking that if such a Center had existed earlier, my works would have been far deeper. This is not an exaggeration. Under the leadership of our President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a truly monumental undertaking has been realized. This building is a vivid embodiment of the words of our forefather Amir Temur: ‘Let those who doubt our power look at the structures we have built.’

This Center is a great institution that presents our history and culture to the entire world, inspiring pride and awe. And this is only the beginning. Future generations will look upon it with pride. I express my sincere gratitude to all the scholars and intellectuals who contributed to this endeavor. We have not only spoken of the existence of our history we have demonstrated it.”

At the conclusion of the visit, representatives of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan assessed the Islamic Civilization Center not only as a historical and educational institution, but also as an important spiritual space that inspires literature, intellectual reflection, and creative expression.