The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has called for greater investment in education, stronger scientific cooperation, and the promotion of religious tolerance as essential responses to rising global conflict, extremism, and Islamophobia. Mirziyoyev made the remarks at the first International Forum of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan on July 7.
The forum, organised by the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, reflects Uzbekistan's growing role as a centre of Islamic scholarship and intercultural dialogue while advancing the concept of Islamic enlightenment. Islamic enlightenment was first introduced by President Mirziyoyev during the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.
In a message read at the Forum's opening ceremony, President Mirziyoyev noted that despite unprecedented scientific and technological progress, the world is facing growing geopolitical tensions, declining trust between nations, and increasing attempts to deepen divisions between cultures and religions. "In these challenging times, noble ideals, including Islamic values, remain the most important and enduring foundations of peace, social progress, harmony and enlightenment," he said.
The President stressed that Islam has historically encouraged scientific inquiry, education, artistic development, and intellectual discovery, rejecting the notion that religion is incompatible with modern progress. He paid tribute to the enduring contributions of Central Asia's great scholars, including Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Ibn Sina, and Mirzo Ulugh Beg, whose achievements transformed mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and philosophy and continue to shape global science today.
Delivering greetings on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, His Virtue Professor Dr Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims' Board, Chairman of the Qazi Council (Fetwa institution) of the CMB, and Sheikh ul-Islam of Caucasus, described Uzbekistan as "a beacon of Islamic knowledge for centuries" and praised the country's efforts to preserve and promote its rich intellectual heritage.
Themed The Path of Peace, Tolerance and Enlightenment, the forum brought together more than 450 participants from over 50 countries and examined the contribution of Islamic civilisation to peace, tolerance, enlightenment, and intercultural dialogue. It also underscores Uzbekistan's commitment to preserving its intellectual heritage while expanding international cooperation in science, education, and cultural exchange.
In 2017, President Mirziyoyev said that the principles of peace, tolerance, and enlightenment at the heart of Islam are universal values capable of uniting societies rather than dividing them. He called for combating extremism and Islamophobia through enlightenment, science, and culture, laying the foundation for a state policy based on the principle of Enlightenment Against Ignorance.
Over the years, Uzbekistan has established a modern cultural, educational, scientific, and academic infrastructure that supports the comprehensive study, preservation, and promotion of the intellectual heritage of Islamic civilisation. The cornerstone of these efforts is the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, which brings together research, museum activities, educational initiatives, and international cooperation within a single complex.
"As Forum participants have noted, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is becoming a platform for shaping a new international agenda for humanitarian cooperation based on knowledge, enlightenment, mutual respect, and trust. The Forum concluded with agreements to launch numerous joint research initiatives, international expeditions, educational programmes, digital manuscript preservation projects, and other major cultural initiatives aimed at strengthening peace, mutual understanding, and dialogue among civilisations," said Dr Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.
During the event, delegates discussed preserving and studying Islamic manuscripts and cultural heritage, applying digital technologies and AI to historical research, expanding international academic cooperation, and exploring the relevance of Islamic intellectual traditions in addressing today's global challenges.
The Forum also served as a platform for presenting new publications, launching major cultural and scientific initiatives, signing international cooperation agreements, and adopting the Declaration of the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization,, which outlined a shared vision for future collaboration in promoting the universal values of Islamic civilisation.
Among the Forum's flagship events are international conferences dedicated to the scholarly legacy of Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Maturidi, and Imam al-Tirmidhi, highlighting the influence of their works on the development of Islamic thought and world civilisation.