Egypt's largest daily newspaper “Al-Ahram” published an article by Ibrahim Negm, Senior Advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt, dedicated to his participation in the 1st International Forum of Islamic Civilization, which took place in Tashkent, Samarkand and Termez, reports Dunyo IA.
According to the author, the forum, held under the motto “The Path of Peace, tolerance and enlightenment”, exceeded all his expectations in terms of organization. Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan made a particularly profound and unforgettable impression on the scholar.
Article notes that the author was fascinated by the unique manuscripts, thousand-year-old copies of the Quran, and modern exhibition technologies presented at the Center. In his opinion, the past here is not merely displayed to visitors - thanks to modern museum solutions, each exhibit seems to acquire a new life.
Recalling his years of study at Harvard University, Ibrahim Negm discusses the theory of the “clash of civilizations”. He notes that despite the interpretation of this concept, according to which Islam was viewed as the main rival of the West, he had always doubted its scientific validity. According to the author, the Islamic civilization has never been in a state of stagnation and has never lagged behind global development.
During his visit to Uzbekistan, Ibrahim Negm visited historical and modern sites of the country's cultural and spiritual heritage, including the Center of Islamic Civilization, the Imam al-Bukhari complex, the Hakim al-Termizi mausoleum, and other shrines of the Islamic world. Based on the results of the trip, he concluded that the Islamic civilization and its rich spiritual and scientific heritage continue to dynamically develop, entering a new stage of their historical development.
Author also emphasizes that the Mushaf of Uthman, kept at the Center of Islamic Civilization, is one of the most valuable written relics not only of Uzbekistan but of the entire Islamic world. According to him, this manuscript represents a crucial source for studying the history of preserving the text of the Holy Quran in the first centuries of Islam.
The Sri Lankan online publication Colombo Times has published an analytical article titled “Uzbekistan’s New Renaissance: Reviving a Golden Past with the Tools of Tomorrow”, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication, prepared by renowned Sri Lankan journalist Fazan Nawaz, focuses on the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan over the past decade under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at building the New Uzbekistan and implementing the idea of the Third Renaissance, as well as their significant outcomes.
“At the very heart of Central Asia, a quiet yet far-reaching revolution in its significance is taking place. This struggle is being waged not with weapons, but through manuscripts, museums and microchips. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is seeking to revive the glory of the medieval “Golden Age”, when such cities as Samarkand and Bukhara were leading centers of global science, poetry, and philosophy, author writes. - The distinctive feature of this process lies in the fact that Uzbekistan is actively using artificial intelligence and digital technologies to preserve, restore, and promote cultural heritage spanning more than a thousand years of history”.
Publication also highlights Uzbekistan’s rich cultural and historical heritage and the reforms being implemented to preserve it. It notes that this land has been the cradle of many outstanding scholars and thinkers throughout human history.
“Leader of Uzbekistan frequently refers to this historical heritage, emphasizing that Mirzo Ulugbek was not only a great scholar but also a statesman for whom science was the highest value. The current process of renewal is referred to by the Head of State as the ‘Third Renaissance’, viewing it as a nationwide project aimed at restoring Uzbekistan’s role as a center of science, education, and culture. According to historians, this term denotes a new stage of revival following two great periods of flourishing that had previously existed in the region”, article notes.
Article emphasizes that an important feature of Uzbekistan’s approach, distinguishing it from other countries, is the use of artificial intelligence not only as a tool for economic development but also as a means of protecting cultural heritage.
Fazan Nawaz concludes his article by stating that only time will show whether the “Third Renaissance” will be able to fully achieve its objectives. However, it is already clear today which path Uzbekistan is pursuing.