Dear forum participants!

Dear guests!

I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of the opening of the International Forum on Islamic Civilization, being held for the first time on the ancient and hospitable soil of Uzbekistan.

It is of deep historical and symbolic significance that this conference, attended by prominent scientists, representatives of influential international organizations, state and public figures, and representatives of culture and religious confessions from more than forty countries of the world, is taking place at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This major international event is evidence of the growing interest and attention of the world community to Islamic civilization, its rich spiritual, scientific, and cultural heritage.

Today, the world is going through a period of deep and rapid changes. Humanity is achieving unprecedented successes in the field of science and technology, while at the same time facing serious trials and problems: conflicts and mutual mistrust are growing, destructive ideologies, intolerance, extremism, and manifestations of Islamophobia are spreading widely. Attempts to pit cultures, religions, and civilizations against each other and to provoke conflicts between the customs and traditions of various peoples are escalating.

In such a complex situation, noble concepts that have long served as a solid foundation for the peaceful life of humanity, harmony, the pursuit of enlightenment, and progressive development — including Islamic values — acquire special significance. As we all know, these values have made an incomparable contribution to the development of world thought over the centuries as a powerful source of scientific progress, cultural uplift, and spiritual perfection, and have become an integral part of universal human heritage.

In this sense, the conceptual idea of "Enlightenment against Ignorance," put forward by Uzbekistan from the high rostrum of the United Nations in 2017, affirms a simple but unchanging truth: in today's restless and threatening world, only science, education and upbringing, culture, and high moral values can serve as a reliable foundation for peace, mutual understanding, social harmony, and sustainable development on Earth.

Our holy religion of Islam recognizes man as honorable and exalted, and inspires the search for truth, the pursuit of science and enlightenment, making scientific discoveries, creative labor, and the development of education, art, and culture.

Our region also makes a worthy contribution to this unique heritage, which is the common wealth of all humanity. This vast territory is considered one of the recognized major centers of world science, enlightenment, and spirituality. Over the centuries, such fields of science as mathematics, astronomy, geodesy, medicine, chemistry, history, philosophy, kalam, hadith studies, and many others flourished on this blessed land. In particular, the priceless heritage of our great compatriots – Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Ahmad al-Farghani, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Mirzo Ulughbek, Alisher Navoi, Babur Mirza, Imam al-Bukhari, Imam at-Tirmidhi, Imam al-Maturidi, Burhanuddin al-Marghinani and other classical scholars occupies a worthy place in the treasury of world thought.

The unique scientific and cultural achievements attained during the periods of great rise in the history of our country, known as the First and Second Renaissances, continue to inspire humanity toward new milestones today. Today, New Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the world community, is resolutely moving along the path of creating the foundation of the Third Renaissance.

We view this new period of Awakening as a new stage of development based on science, innovations, modern education, the spiritual and intellectual growth of society, deep respect for our rich historical heritage, and the realization of the creative potential of every person.

Therefore, the restoration, preservation, study, and wide promotion of the rich and unique heritage of Islamic civilization has become one of the priority areas of state policy in our country. These systematic works are primarily aimed at deeply researching the Islamic heritage, training highly qualified specialists, supporting fundamental scientific research, and developing humanitarian cooperation. In this process, unprecedented work is being carried out to restore and beautify sacred sites and historical and cultural complexes associated with the life and activities of the great figures of Islamic civilization.

We are naturally pleased that, in particular, the reconstruction of the Imam al-Bukhari memorial complex in the Samarkand region is recognized as one of the largest spiritual, scientific, and educational centers not only in our country, but in the entire Muslim world. The land of Uzbekistan, which has long been the intersection of great civilizations, cultures, and religions, is transforming today into a land of goodness where representatives of various nations, nationalities, and religious confessions live in an atmosphere of peace, mutual trust, and harmony. These traditions of openness, tolerance, and harmony constitute the main principles of our state policy and define the essence of our country's aspirations to further strengthen international humanitarian cooperation and dialogue between cultures and civilizations.

Dear forum participants!

The eternal call of the Holy Quran, "Iqro!" meaning "Read!", serves as a guiding star for the noble efforts undertaken by all well-intentioned people in the world for the sake of the happiness of present and future generations. Despite the passage of centuries, the deep meaning and content of this divine call have not lost their significance.

On the contrary, in the present era of rapid changes and unprecedented development of technologies, this call resounds even louder, reminding all of humanity that science and enlightenment, spiritual and intellectual progress are the decisive forces of society's prosperity.

This blessed word is inscribed on the arch of the main gate of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, clearly defining its ultimate goal — the great mission of preserving and deeply studying the priceless heritage of Islamic civilization, and on this basis, comprehensively strengthening friendship and cooperation among the peoples of the world. For us, this Center is a symbol of our people's historical memory, an expression of deep reverence for the heritage of our great ancestors, and at the same time, a vivid embodiment of New Uzbekistan's bold aspiration toward the future.

At the same time, it is an open intellectual space, serving to unite all enlightened people, scientists and researchers, religious figures, and specialists around the world who have dedicated their lives to the development of science, the preservation of universal human values, and passing them on intact to future generations.

Notably, in a short period of time, the Center has transformed into an intellectual bridge connecting the past with the future, the East with the West, and ancient traditions with modern scientific achievements.

Therefore, we evaluate the 1st International Forum on Islamic Civilization as a new stage of global cooperation combining the intellectual potential of various states and international organizations, scientific centers, universities, museums, libraries, and research institutes, and we express hope that a joint action program will be adopted in this regard.

Uzbekistan is always ready to fully support joint projects and initiatives implemented with international partners. For this purpose, all conditions have been created in the Center of Islamic Civilization to conduct fundamental scientific research, organize international forums and conferences, prepare joint publications, implement educational programs, and develop large-scale humanitarian cooperation with the world's leading scientific and cultural centers.

We firmly believe that science and enlightenment are the greatest unifying forces of our era, that their constructive basis remains a reliable foundation for peace and sustainable development, and we invite all of you to cooperate for the sake of this noble goal.

Respected friends!

As you participate in conferences dedicated to the scientific heritage of our great ancestors in our historical cities such as Samarkand and Termiz within the framework of the forum, you will get a closer look at the work being done in our country to restore and preserve religious and educational values, strengthen peace and tolerance, and generally, to build New Uzbekistan. I am confident that the sincere meetings and dialogues with representatives of our hardworking and hospitable people will inspire you to create new scientific research and literary works, and cultural-humanitarian projects.

Congratulating you once again from the bottom of my heart, I wish you all good health, prosperity in your honorable activities, and success in the work of the forum.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan