Uzbekistan Invites Malaysians To Explore The History Of Central Asia Through The Centre Of Islamic Civilisation

From Samihah Mohamed Janum

TASHKENT (Uzbekistan), March 13 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan’s Centre of Islamic Civilisation has invited Malaysians to explore the rich history of Central Asia while gaining deeper insight into the centre, regarded as a key symbol of the region’s Islamic and human civilisation development.

Its Scientific Secretary, Rustam Jabbarov, said the centre is a large-scale cultural project that houses various modern facilities including a museum, conference halls, research laboratories and a library aimed at highlighting Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, knowledge and history.

“These facilities make the centre an important academic and cultural platform that showcases the development of civilisation as well as the role of Islamic knowledge and culture in this region.

“Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also showed interest in the centre during his visit to Uzbekistan in 2024, which is expected to open opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of Islamic civilisation, education and culture,” he said.

He said this in an exclusive interview with Bernama here.

Jabbarov said the centre houses two modern libraries - among the largest in Central Asia - with a collection of more than 1,000 printed books and over one million electronic books, in addition to having networks with several major libraries around the world.

The main museum at the centre consists of five key sections that showcase the development of civilisation in the region of Uzbekistan from the pre-Islamic era to the modern age.

According to Jabbarov, Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, was once a flourishing civilisation centre, with rich cultural diversity, while also witnessing major advancements in science, astronomy and the arts.

He said when Islam arrived in the region in the eighth century, Uzbekistan emerged as a major centre of knowledge that produced many renowned Islamic scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Tirmizi, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, and Imam al-Maturidi.

These prominent figures, who originated from the Central Asian region—particularly areas now known as Uzbekistan—made significant contributions to the development of knowledge and Islamic civilisation.

He said civilisation in the region was revived during the 14th-century reign of Amir Timur, or Tamerlane, which restored intellectual and cultural life following Mongol devastation and ushered in the Timurid Renaissance in Central Asia.

According to Jabbarov, during that time the region became a stopover for traders and envoys from various countries, including Iran, Türkiye and areas near China, while the influence of the empire also extended to the Indian subcontinent for several centuries.

After the Timurid era, several other dynasties, such as the Shaybanid and Ashtarkhanid, continued to play roles in advancing civilisation in the region.

He added that under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has implemented various development initiatives since 2017 across the economic, cultural, educational, arts and sports sectors to strengthen the country’s overall development.

-- BERNAMA