The International Forum "The Legacy of the Great Past - the Foundation of an Enlightened Future" has begun at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.
According to the Center's information service, more than 200 specialists from more than 20 countries - renowned scientists, museum directors, librarians, and cultural heritage specialists - are participating in this prestigious event. Among them are representatives of IRCICA, the World Islamic League, ICESCO, TURKSOY, national libraries and archives, the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Oxford University, the world's prestigious auction house Christie's, and other leading organizations.
The international forum is aimed at supporting the efforts of the head of state to preserve the true humanitarian essence of Islam and develop intercultural dialogue.
During the two-day forum, participants are expected to familiarize themselves with the preparations for the opening of the Center of Islamic Civilization, discuss the final formation of the museum's exposition, scientific and educational projects, new approaches to digitizing collections, opportunities for using multimedia technologies, and issues of its formation as a scientific, educational, and cultural space of global significance.
Salim Ezer, Head of the Department of Information and Communications of the International Cultural Organization (TURKSOY):
- The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is the signature of your President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. And this signature will live for years, developing year after year. In my opinion, this center is a very important step towards demonstrating the richness of Islamic culture to the world community. The Center is a place that not only reminds of the past, but also speaks about the future, allowing new generations to feel themselves as successors of the ancestral heritage shown here. Another aspect is that the rarest works, manuscripts, and exhibits were returned to Uzbekistan centuries later. This constitutes a valuable part of material culture.
Alikber Alikberov, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences:
- They say you shouldn't look back, you should only move forward." However, in reality, only peoples with deep cultural and civilizational roots can see the dynamics of development and develop sustainably. Therefore, the words of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 80th session of the UN are very important at the moment: history and culture are the main foundation that will allow for successful and reliable development in the future. This is a guarantee that the modernization processes will be strong and consistent. The Center of Islamic Civilization will become a place where cultural heritage will be collected, preserved, and deeply studied. And the most important thing is to preserve and understand it.
Within the framework of the International Forum Program, it is planned to sign memorandums of cooperation, adopt the Final Declaration of the Forum, and hold a ceremony for the transfer of artifacts to the Center.