Held under the theme “A Path of Peace, Tolerance, Science, and Knowledge,” the five-day forum, running from 7 to 11 July at the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan, marks one of the country’s most significant international cultural and intellectual gatherings.
In a message delivered on his behalf by Presidential Adviser Khairiddin Sultanov, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev described the inaugural forum as a landmark event that reflects growing international appreciation of the Islamic civilization’s enduring spiritual, scientific, and cultural legacy.
He said the participation of distinguished scholars, representatives from leading international organizations, and government and public figures from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds demonstrated growing global recognition of the importance of preserving and promoting the heritage of Islamic civilization.
Mirziyoyev noted that while humanity is experiencing unprecedented advances in science and technology, the world continues to face escalating conflicts, deepening mistrust, and the spread of extremism, intolerance, and Islamophobia.
Against this backdrop, he stressed the urgent need to strengthen dialogue among civilizations and reaffirm the universal values of knowledge, coexistence, and mutual respect.
The president also highlighted Uzbekistan’s “Enlightenment against Ignorance” initiative, launched at the United Nations in 2017, saying it was founded on the belief that education, scientific progress, culture, and ethical values remain the most effective instruments for building peace, fostering social harmony, and achieving sustainable development.
Emphasizing Central Asia’s historical contribution to world civilization, Mirziyoyev described the region as one of humanity’s great centres of learning, where pioneering scholars made lasting contributions to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, theology, and other fields.
He cited the enduring legacy of Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, Ahmad Al-Farghani, Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni, Ibn Sina, Imam Al-Bukhari, Imam Al-Tirmidhi, and Imam Al-Maturidi as integral to the world’s shared intellectual heritage.
He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to expanding international cooperation through the Centre for Islamic Civilization, which serves as a platform for scientific research, international conferences, joint publications, educational programmes, and partnerships with leading academic and cultural institutions worldwide.
Addressing the opening session, Dr Mohamed El-Dweiny, deputy grand imam of Al-Azhar and chairman of the Executive Committee for Cooperation between Al-Azhar and Uzbekistan, praised the Uzbek leadership for its commitment to preserving and promoting Islamic culture.
He said the forum’s theme reflects a fundamental historical truth: that Islamic civilization flourished through knowledge, justice, mercy, and respect for human dignity rather than through coercion or oppression.
Egypt is participating with a high-level delegation that includes Minister of Religious Endowments Osama Al-Azhari, Grand Mufti Nazir Ayad, Deputy Grand Imam Mohamed El-Dweiny, Minister of Culture Gihan Zaki, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdel Aziz Qansouh, and several senior religious scholars.
The forum is expected to further strengthen the longstanding historical ties between Egypt and Uzbekistan by expanding cooperation in Islamic studies, religious education, cultural heritage preservation, scientific research, and academic exchange.
It also provides a platform for addressing contemporary challenges facing the Islamic world while advancing the principles of moderation, enlightenment, and peaceful coexistence.
The event is jointly organized by the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the Committee for Religious Affairs of Uzbekistan, the Imam Maturidi, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Tirmidhi International Scientific Research Centres, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
The forum aims to highlight the enduring contributions of Islamic civilization to science, culture, and human development while reaffirming the values of peace, tolerance, and enlightenment as essential foundations for addressing the challenges of the contemporary world.
Short link: