By Mohamed Sabreen
From the moment I arrived at Tashkent Airport, I realized I was witnessing the transformation of a nation undergoing a powerful shift, shaking off the dust of years past. According to Gayan Omirova, head of the Uzbekistan Foundation for the Development of Arts and Culture, the driving force behind this transformation is a clear national vision promoted at the highest political level. This vision has placed culture, tourism, and the creative economy at the heart of Uzbekistan’s development strategy.
This comes amidst a pressing question: what role do culture and the arts play in supporting economic development, tourism, and investment? It has become clear that these elements are inseparable. A dynamic and diversified economy requires a strong cultural identity. Culture attracts visitors, builds trust, and opens horizons that trade negotiations alone cannot provide. We are currently witnessing that every major cultural project undertaken by the Tashkent government, whether it be an international exhibition, a new museum, or a national pavilion, integrates tourism and investment into its core objectives from the outset. This logic was practically demonstrated with the Samarkand Express. The agreement recently signed by Tashkent with the Arsenal Group to operate this luxurious, Italian-made train on the Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-Khiva line is, in essence, as much a cultural project as it is a transportation one, designed to enable travelers to experience these heritage cities in the way they deserve. When the world sees Uzbekistan’s innovation on the global stage, it sees a confident, open, and partnership-oriented nation.
Under the vision of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the current leadership in Tashkent is striving to present a modern Uzbekistan that is both competitive and contributing to the new era. However, it is not forgetting its past; rather, it is offering its treasures to the world, highlighting its heritage, and reviving its role as a bridge between East and West, thus building a new Silk Road.
Tashkent recognizes that this is a strategic task for fostering intercultural dialogue and showcasing Uzbekistan’s historical role at the heart of the Islamic world, particularly as the birthplace of several luminaries of Islamic thought, such as Bukhari, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Sina. Therefore, Uzbekistan presented the world with the “Center for Islamic Civilization” in Tashkent. This monumental edifice is not merely an architectural achievement, but also a cultural message to the world about the importance of Islamic heritage in shaping human civilization.
This grand structure became a topic of discussion in international cultural circles after officially receiving a Guinness World Record as the largest museum of Islamic civilization in the world in terms of area.
In light of this Guinness World Record recognition, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent has become a new global symbol reflecting the ability of Islamic countries to present their history in a modern and institutional manner, combining scientific research, heritage preservation, and state-of-the-art museum displays.
The Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is one of the most important modern cultural and architectural projects in Central Asia. It integrates scientific, historical, and religious dimensions within a comprehensive framework aimed at highlighting the contributions of Islamic civilization throughout the centuries.
Located in the heart of the historic Khast Imam complex in Tashkent, the center boasts a grand architectural design that blends classical Islamic style with modern touches. The site covers approximately 10 hectares, while the building itself measures 161 meters in length and 118 meters in width, with the dome reaching a height of about 65 meters, reflecting the scale of the project and its cultural and architectural ambitions. This impressive size was not merely a geometric figure, but a key factor in its international recognition.
The center houses a comprehensive museum containing thousands of artifacts and rare manuscripts that document the development of Islamic civilization throughout the ages, in addition to interactive exhibition halls, libraries, and research laboratories. This building aims to present a comprehensive narrative of the history of the Islamic world, focusing on the contributions of scholars and thinkers in the fields of science, astronomy, medicine, and the arts. This makes it more than just a traditional museum; it is an open scientific and cultural platform. Under the vision of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the current leadership in Tashkent is striving to present a modern Uzbekistan that is actively engaged with the times, while not forgetting its past. Instead, it is offering its treasures to the world, highlighting its heritage, and reaffirming its role as a bridge between East and West. Tashkent recognizes this as a strategic mission to promote intercultural dialogue and highlight Uzbekistan’s historical role at the heart of the Islamic world, particularly as the birthplace of several luminaries of Islamic thought such as Bukhari, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Sina. Therefore, Uzbekistan has presented the world with the “Center for Islamic Civilization” in Tashkent. This monumental edifice is not merely an architectural achievement, but also a cultural message to the world about the importance of Islamic heritage in shaping human civilization.
This grand structure has become a topic of discussion in international cultural circles after officially receiving a Guinness World Record as the largest museum of Islamic civilization in the world by area.
In light of this Guinness World Record recognition, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent has become a new global symbol reflecting the ability of Islamic countries to present their history in a modern and institutional manner, combining scientific research, heritage preservation, and state-of-the-art museum displays. The Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is one of the most important modern cultural and architectural projects in Central Asia. It seamlessly integrates scientific, historical, and religious dimensions, aiming to highlight the contributions of Islamic civilization throughout the centuries.
I must admit that the center impressed me, but the Uzbek people impressed me even more. This is a journey for a nation still in its early stages, and it’s clear that everyone is involved in this grand dream. I witnessed this strongly from senior government officials, business leaders, and ordinary citizens, as well as from the confidence of the political leadership. This was further reinforced by my continuous conversations with Mr. Sayed Nasir, advisor to the Uzbek Minister of Housing and Public Utilities, who oversaw my itinerary, accompanied me during important meetings, and diligently answered my numerous questions. In addition to him, there were his assistants, and before them, Mr. Qurbanov Shahroz, a second-year student at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED), who served as my guide and translator from Uzbek to English. He was one of hundreds of young people who volunteered to accompany guests at the fifth Tashkent Investment Forum. I believe it is an exciting journey and an ambitious project that we can emulate in our belief in the ability to rise strongly, extend our hands to Central Asia, and tell the world: We are rising, and together with Uzbekistan, we will present you with a “New Silk Road”—a road that understands its history and speaks the language of its time.
Author: Mohamed Sabreen is Managing Editor of Al-Ahram (Egypt).He is a senior journalist and analyst specializing in international affairs, Middle Eastern geopolitics, Asian Affairs,environmental issues, and sustainable development. He serves as a Senior Expert at the United World Research Center.
He is a regular contributing columnist to a range of leading international publications, including Al-Ahram Weekly (Egypt), Al-Masry Al-Youm (Egypt), The Korea Times (South Korea), New Straits Times (Malaysia), Xinhua News Agency (China), China Daily (China), China Today (China), Al-Sabah (Iraq), Ad-Dustour (Jordan), and An-Nahar (Kuwait).
Source: https://www.annaharkw.com/Article.aspx?id=1048596&date=01072026
