Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – “Uzbekistan - Centre of Islamic Civilization” photo exhibition was officially opened at the Museum of Islamic Art of Malaysia on 1 March. 

The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan, Centre of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan and diplomatic mission of our country in Kuala Lumpur city.

The Museum of Islamic Art in Malaysia was founded in 1998. The museum is the largest museum of history and art of Islamic civilization in the South-East Asia and its area of 30,000 sq.m.

The museum’s collection features exhibits reflecting the culture and art of the entire Islamic world. One of the rarest exhibits is an eighth century Sogdian silk dress from Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture of Malaysia, as well as royal family members, officials and representatives of Malaysian ministries and departments, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the diplomatic corps accredited in the host country, representatives of culture and art, academic and business circles and over 200 of our compatriots living and studying in Malaysia.

The event was covered by National News Agency of Malaysia "Bernama", National TV and Radio Broadcasting Company "RTM" (Radio televisyen Malaysia), a large state Islamic TV channel "TV AlHijrah", international TV company "Aljazeera", TV channel of Islamic Development Department of Malaysia, leading print media and other online publications.

Noteworthy were the contributions of the history and civilization of Islam to the development of science, education and architecture on the territory of Uzbekistan since its spread in Central Asia up to the present day, as well as cultural and artifacts.

The participants of the event were also provided with detailed information on the large-scale reforms taking place at the current stage of our country’s development.

The significance of the Eastern Renaissance in the world development, including huge contributions of such great scholars as Muhammad Khwarizmi, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Abu Rayhan Beruni, Mirza Ulugbek in development of exact sciences, Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Abu Mansur Moturidi, information about development of Islamic philosophy and Islamic law aroused great interest of the visitors.

It should be noted that a presentation on Uzbekistan’s tourism potential was organized for the guests of the exhibition. It presented detailed information on comprehensive measures taken by our government to develop tourism infrastructure and enhance the potential of "pilgrimage tourism". In addition, tourist products and routes of Uzbekistan, capacities of "Silk Road Samarkand" international tourist centre and new "Samarkand" international airport were demonstrated. 

During the event, Minister Tiong King Singh noted with satisfaction the high level of Uzbek-Malaysian cooperation in cultural-humanitarian sphere. In addition, the sides gave high appreciation of the ongoing comprehensive measures in Uzbekistan aimed at comprehensive study, preservation and promotion of the rich spiritual and intellectual heritage of Islamic civilization, the development of a culture of tolerance and the widespread humanistic content of the Islamic religion.

In an interview with foreign media representatives attending the event, Zulkifli Ishaq, curator of the Museum of Islamic Art, noted the importance of this joint project, which for two months would help introduce the rich culture, centuries-old history and architectural traditions of Uzbekistan to the wider Malaysian public.

Also noted was the fruitful cooperation between the museum and the Uzbek side, in particular, the preparation and publication of a special book-album from the series "The Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World Museum of Islamic Art" at the VI International Congress "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan - the Foundation of the New Revival", which was held in Samarkand in July 2022. 

“Uzbekistan - the Centre of Islamic Civilization” photo exhibition will be open until 27 April.