On April 13, 2026, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan was officially awarded a Guinness World Records title in the category of “Largest museum of Islamic civilisation” — the largest museum of Islamic civilization in the world.
During the solemn awarding ceremony, Sheida Subasi, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, participated and confirmed that the Center fully meets all established international criteria and standards.
The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is a comprehensive scientific, educational, and museum complex, representing a major strategic megaproject implemented on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This Center serves as a unique platform for “New Uzbekistan,” aimed at harmonizing scientific potential, rich cultural heritage, and modern technologies within a single space.
The project reflects the long-term strategy of the head of state aimed at shaping a new humanitarian image of the country, strengthening national identity, and promoting Uzbekistan globally as one of the important centers of Islamic civilization.
Today, the Center has become one of the most visited scientific and cultural sites in the region, welcoming an average of nearly 5,000 visitors daily. This demonstrates the great interest it generates among the local population and foreign guests.
From the very beginning, the Center was conceived as a new type of scientific, cultural, and educational complex. It harmoniously presents historical heritage alongside modern multimedia technologies. The exposition is structured around the principle of “civilizations, personalities, and discoveries,” systematically covering the region's development from ancient times to the rise of science and the modern era.
A special place within the Center's structure is held by the Hall of the Holy Quran. It displays one of the oldest manuscripts known as the Uthman Quran, which is included in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register. This unique artifact holds great significance not only as an incomparable monument of Islamic civilization but also as an important spiritual center combining research and educational activities.
The uniqueness of the Center's concept makes it the first example combining a museum, research infrastructure, and educational environment, setting a new milestone in global museum practice.
Achieving this record was the result of months of systematic work, which included confirming museum parameters, preparing complete documentation, and undergoing multi-stage verification processes involving independent international experts.
Leading international specialists in archaeology, numismatics, textiles, and manuscripts participated in shaping the museum's collection. This ensured the high scientific and museological level of the exposition.
The awarding of the Guinness World Records title is not only recognition of the Center's scale, but also high praise for the labor of hundreds of scientists, specialists, and experts who took part in implementing this project.
Adjudicator Sheida Subasi highly praised the activities of the Center and noted the following:
“The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is a unique example of combining historical heritage with modern museum technologies. The scale, conceptual integrity, and level of implementation of the project fully meet the criteria of Guinness World Records. This is not just the largest museum — it is a modern platform for dialogue between cultures and for transmitting knowledge to future generations.”
This record once again confirms that Uzbekistan is one of the important historical centers of Islamic scholarship, culture, and enlightenment. At the same time, it strengthens the country's prestige as a modern international arena based on the principles of dialogue among civilizations, tolerance, and cultural diversity.
Securing the Guinness World Records status reinforces the Center's position as the largest museum of its kind in the world, turning it into one of the leading international platforms for studying, preserving, and popularizing intellectual heritage.
In the future, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan will develop further as an international scientific and cultural arena, uniting scholars and specialists from various countries around the globe and serving as a vital driver in promoting the humanitarian initiatives of “New Uzbekistan” on a global scale.
