Uzbekistan Hosts First International Islamic Civilisation Forum
Uzbekistan hosted the first International Islamic Civilisation Forum from 7 to 11 July 2026, with events held in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Termiz. Themed ‘Islamic Civilisation: The Path of Peace, Tolerance, and Enlightenment,’ the forum explored the intellectual and humanistic heritage of Islamic civilisation, Uzbekistan’s historical contributions to science, and opportunities for broader international cooperation. The forum was held under the patronage of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and brought together approximately 300 guests from more than 40 countries.
The Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan coordinated the programme with the Committee for Religious Affairs, the international research centres of Imam Maturidi, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Termizi, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, and the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan. Officially opened in Tashkent on 17 March 2026, the Centre is a museum, research, and educational complex created to study, preserve, and present the country’s scholarly heritage. The building also houses the Imam Maturidi Centre, which supports research on the textual and intellectual legacy of the Samarkand theologian.
The main opening event took place at the Centre in Tashkent. Khayriddin Sultonov, Presidential Adviser and Speechwriter, read a welcoming address by President Mirziyoyev. Its core message linked the study of historical truth with science, education, and cultural dialogue. Broader discussions also emphasised cooperation against extremism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, ignorance, and distorted portrayals of Islamic heritage.
The forum was designed as a multi-city programme, encompassing plenary and specialist sessions, publication presentations, heritage and museum activities, visits to historical sites, and diplomatic meetings. IRCICA, the OIC research centre for Islamic history, art, and culture, participated as an international partner. Its representatives presented papers and lectures, while memoranda of understanding were signed or renewed with the Imam Bukhari Research Centre in Samarkand and the Imam Termizi Research Centre in Termiz.
In Samarkand, discussions focused on Imam al-Bukhari’s Al-Jami al-Sahih. Imam Bukhari was a ninth-century scholar born in Bukhara, whose meticulous hadith collection became one of the most influential works in hadith studies. Samarkand, long a centre of learning, manuscripts, architecture, and Silk Road exchange, provided a fitting backdrop. The city’s Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Centre studies and publishes his scholarly legacy. Nearby, the reconstructed Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex combines his burial site with a mosque, museum, and facilities for scholarly activity and pilgrimage; the completed reconstruction was reviewed on 19 March 2026.
Termiz hosted the conference ‘The Termez School of Hadith: The Legacy of Scholars and Modern Research.’ The programme examined Imam Termizi, a prominent ninth-century hadith scholar, and the broader scholarly tradition that flourished in the region. Termiz is an ancient city on the banks of the Amu Darya and historically connected Central Asia with neighbouring civilisations. The city’s International Scientific Research Centre of Imam Termizi studies manuscripts and promotes research on the scholar and other figures associated with the Termez school.
A parallel conference addressed ‘The Legacy of Imam Maturidi – The Foundation of Moderation and Reason in Islamic Civilisation.’ Abu Mansur Maturidi was a Samarkand theologian whose intellectual school became one of the major Sunni theological traditions. The sessions presented reason, knowledge, moderation, and responsible religious education as vital resources for addressing modern social and intellectual challenges.
One of the forum’s main outcomes was the adoption of the Tashkent Declaration. The declaration outlines ten global initiatives to preserve, study, digitise, and promote the intellectual, artistic, and scientific heritage of Islamic civilisation. Among the proposals are a World Alliance of Islamic Civilisation, a global digital heritage registry and library, an international award and research fund, an encyclopaedia, a youth forum, and an international union of museums of Islamic culture and civilisation.
The forum also demonstrated Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to bring renewed international attention to the heritage of Mawarannahr, the historical region between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. Through manuscript preservation and digitisation, monument restoration, museum development, academic research, religious education, interfaith dialogue, and cultural diplomacy, the country seeks to present the legacy of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi as part of a shared civilisation grounded in knowledge, peace, science, and enlightenment. This positions Uzbekistan among a select group of nations and institutions working to preserve a heritage that transcends modern national boundaries.
Overall, the forum created a platform for research, heritage preservation, and institutional cooperation. It also demonstrated Uzbekistan’s intention to strengthen its role as an international hub for studying and showcasing Islamic civilisation in the modern world.