TASHKENT, JUL 12 (DNA) – The First International Islamic Civilization Forum concluded here today with the adoption of a landmark declaration, marking the beginning of a new international cooperation framework to study, preserve, and promote the rich humanistic legacy of the Islamic world.
Held on July 7–8 in the Uzbek capital, the forum saw participants express profound gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his historic initiative, first presented at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017, which called for the revival and scientific dissemination of Islamic civilization’s heritage.
The declaration, unanimously adopted by the participants, recognizes the establishment of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan as the practical realization of that vision. It asserts that these efforts have “undoubtedly marked the beginning of a new era” in international cooperation regarding the Muslim Ummah’s invaluable heritage.
Ten Global Initiatives Unveiled
The declaration proposes a sweeping framework of ten global initiatives designed to counteract ignorance, extremism, and Islamophobia, while highlighting the contributions of Islamic civilization to global science, art, and intellectual thought.
Key proposals include:
- A World Alliance for Islamic Civilization, anchored by the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, to unite international organizations, scientific institutions, museums, and research entities to coordinate efforts.
- A World Digital Registry, a unified international platform to aggregate manuscripts, archival materials, museum collections, and architectural monuments.
- An International Program titled “Islamic Civilization: Heritage of All Humanity” to highlight the civilization’s contributions through exhibitions, educational projects, and conferences.
- An International Islamic Civilization Prize to honor individuals for significant contributions to the field and intercultural dialogue.
- An International Foundation to support fundamental research, monument restoration, and emerging scholars.
- A Global Digital Library integrating multilingual manuscripts, scholarly works, and educational resources.
- A Comprehensive International Encyclopedia focused on the history, scholars, and achievements of the Islamic world.
- An Annual International Report addressing the condition of heritage sites and opportunities for cooperation.
- A Permanent International Youth Forum to cultivate the next generation of scholars.
- An International Union of Museums to advance joint exhibitions, research, and the exchange of collections and specialists.
Roadmap for 2030
To ensure the realization of these proposals, the declaration establishes the Forum’s International Council as a permanent coordinating body. The Council is tasked with consolidating proposals, developing an international roadmap for joint actions through 2030, and presenting it to participants, international organizations, and the Government of Uzbekistan.
“We, the Forum participants, urge states, international organizations, scientific institutions, universities, museums, libraries, and public organizations to collaborate in implementing these initiatives,” the declaration reads, “for the sake of peace, mutual respect, education, and the preservation of the rich heritage of Islamic civilization as an essential component of the world’s cultural treasury.”
Uzbekistan’s Central Role
The declaration emphasizes the historical contributions of both ancient and modern Uzbekistan to the formation and advancement of Islamic and global civilization. The forum and the newly established Islamic Civilization Center position Uzbekistan as a central hub for the preservation and study of Islamic heritage, fulfilling President Mirziyoyev’s vision of fostering tolerance and intercultural dialogue through academic rigor.
The initiatives represent a significant push toward digitizing and preserving the intellectual and cultural wealth of the Islamic world, aiming to build bridges between civilizations and counter modern challenges of misunderstanding and extremism.
