News

In the history of Central Asia, the name of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur is usually mentioned as a great commander, statesman, and the author of the work Baburnama. However, historical sources also show that Babur Mirza had a deep interest in Islamic sciences, calligraphy, and the culture of manuscript writing. In particular, his reverence for the Holy Qur’an and his efforts aimed at reforming the Arabic script reveal another dimension of this great figure — as an enlightened scholar.

The exposition “Ancient Khorezm Civilization,” located in the “Pre-Islamic Period” section of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, illustrates how traditions of statehood were formed in Central Asia through archaeological discoveries and written sources.

The building of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan was constructed based on national architectural traditions and can be entered through four main portals located on its four sides. The portals and the arches on the building’s façade are adorned with verses from the Holy Qur’an and hadiths expressing such noble values as knowledge, enlightenment, tolerance, and respect for parents. In particular, the hadith of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — “Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and Muslim woman” — is inscribed three times around the portals, symbolizing that the central idea of the Center is the glorification of knowledge and enlightenment.

Sometimes a single piece of fabric can tell the story of an entire civilization. This embroidered panel fragment depicting women on horseback is one of such rare monuments. Specialists describe it as one of the oldest and most important examples in the history of Central Asian embroidery, even symbolically calling it the “mother of embroideries.”