Qatar and Uzbekistan Unite to Celebrate Shared Islamic Heritage with New Tashkent Civilization Centre

Qatar and Uzbekistan are celebrating their shared Islamic heritage, underscored by the establishment of an Islamic Civilization Centre in Tashkent. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Qatar’s Minister of State and Qatar National Library President, and Ashraf Khojaev, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Qatar, highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between the two nations at an event on Thursday.

Al-Kawari lauded Uzbekistan's initiative to create the Islamic Civilization Centre in Tashkent, emphasizing its significance not only for Uzbek culture but also for the global community. He stated, "I think it is a very great initiative from the Republic of Uzbekistan to establish the Islamic Civilization Center, and this is not just serving Uzbekistan’s culture, but it is serving the international community in general because it will highlight the important role that Muslim culture played in the world." The centre, which officially opened on 17 March 2026, features a museum, library, and research facilities, with exhibitions covering periods from pre-Islamic history to the Islamic Golden Age.

Al-Kawari further noted that Uzbekistan and Central Asia have historically been crucial hubs of Islamic civilization, whose contributions were perhaps less recognized internationally during the Soviet era. He also pointed to Qatar's commitment to cultural diplomacy through institutions like Katara Cultural Village, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and Qatar National Library.

Ambassador Khodjaev echoed these sentiments, stating that Islamic civilization represents a common heritage for both Qatar and Uzbekistan. He specifically mentioned the significant contributions of scholars from Uzbekistan, including Imam al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, and Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, whose work extended beyond Central Asia to influence the Middle East, including Qatar.

Khodjaev stressed that preserving this shared heritage is vital for educating future generations. He explained that this philosophy underpins Uzbek President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev's vision for the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, aiming to ensure its lessons are passed on to younger generations for their modern endeavors.