Today, the Museum of Islamic Arts in Malaysia hosted an international roundtable titled "Cultural Heritage: A Bridge Between Uzbekistan and Malaysia," aimed at strengthening bilateral cultural ties and advancing scientific cooperation in the study of Islamic civilization.
The event, organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, saw participation from representatives of Malaysia's largest fund, "Al-Bukhari," the Institute of Islamic Understanding under the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia, the Institute of Islamic Culture of Malaysia, the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, the University of Islamic Sciences, the International Islamic University, and other leading educational and research institutions.
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
During the roundtable, extensive reforms initiated by the President of Uzbekistan in the fields of spiritual and educational activities, as well as the preservation, study, and promotion of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage, were presented. Special attention was given to the activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization, the International Islamic Academy, the Committee for Religious Affairs, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, and the international research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi. Participants were shown special documentary films dedicated to the work of these research institutions. Additionally, the scientific community of Malaysia was introduced to the preface by the President of Uzbekistan for the album "The Museum of Islamic Arts in Malaysia."
After reviewing the presentation from the Center for Islamic Civilization, the roundtable participants highly praised the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to establish the Center for Islamic Civilization. Scholars emphasized that this project plays a crucial role in educating the youth and promoting the values of peaceful Islam.
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
As part of the event, a special Declaration was adopted to support the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at creating favorable conditions for the work of international scholars and researchers at the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This significant step is directed towards implementing joint projects with leading specialists in the field of Islamic heritage, enriching the museum content of the Center, and further expanding scientific collaboration between Uzbekistan and the global community.
The International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (Malaysia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, as well as with the international research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi.
One of the key decisions made at the roundtable was the establishment of a joint Uzbek-Malaysian scientific society, which will unite leading researchers and experts from both countries specializing in the study of Islamic civilization.
Organizational leadership will be assumed by the Uzbek side through the Center for Islamic Civilization, while the Malaysian side will be represented by the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization. The first meeting of the expert council will take place in Uzbekistan ahead of the official opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization. The main tasks of the society include conducting joint scientific research and publications, organizing educational and cultural initiatives, exchanging academic experiences and resources, and developing international dialogue on issues related to Islamic heritage. Dr. Firdavs Abdulkhalikov, the director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, and Dr. Abdulaziz Bergut, the director of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, have been appointed as coordinators of the society.
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
In recognition of the contributions made by the President of Uzbekistan in preserving Islamic culture and studying the legacy of great scholars, the Malaysian side presented a special certificate granting Uzbek researchers electronic access to over 100,000 manuscripts and rare publications. The certificate and digital key to the library of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization in Malaysia were ceremoniously handed over to the director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. Access was also granted to the international research centers of Imam Maturidi, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Termizi.
![]() | ![]() |
During the roundtable, the Uzbek side proposed several initiatives aimed at strengthening scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. In particular, it was suggested to develop partnerships between the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization of Malaysia and the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, as well as with the international centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Termizi within a special program to prevent radicalism. In the cultural sphere, initiatives include organizing a photo exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Arts in Malaysia dedicated to the historical monuments and artifacts of Uzbekistan, as well as conducting a media tour of Uzbekistan for Malaysian representatives of spiritual and educational organizations, journalists, and public figures to familiarize them with the country's historical and cultural heritage. In education, it was proposed to involve Malaysian scholars in the international scholarship programs named after Imam Bukhari and Imam Maturidi, as well as to develop a joint educational program between the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the International Islamic University of Malaysia, including the participation of Uzbek teachers in Malaysian universities under the Visiting Professor program. In the scientific field, it was suggested to implement joint projects between the Institute of Islamic Culture of Malaysia and the Center named after Imam Bukhari, aimed at studying and restoring the scientific heritage of Muslim scholars in the field of medicine and researching the contemporary significance of Imam Bukhari's legacy. Furthermore, to strengthen spiritual and educational ties, it was proposed to launch a special pilgrimage program "Umrah Plus," which would allow Malaysian believers to visit holy sites in Uzbekistan associated with Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, and Bahauddin Naqshband.
The event also featured a unique exhibition of books and facsimile editions published by the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage (WOSCU), and research centers in Uzbekistan. The publications presented garnered significant interest from the roundtable participants. In a gesture of strengthening scientific and cultural cooperation, collections of books were donated to the libraries of partner Malaysian organizations, including the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, the Institute of Islamic Culture of Malaysia, and others.
In conclusion, the participants of the roundtable visited the exhibition of Uzbek cultural heritage at the Museum of Islamic Arts in Malaysia. Guests of the event explored unique historical artifacts representing the rich heritage of Uzbek civilization and viewed the museum's permanent exhibition. It is worth noting that the collections of the Malaysian Museum of Islamic Arts are featured in the 58th volume of the series "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World," published by the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage (WOSCU).