Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a coordination meeting via videoconference with Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov , Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The two parties reviewed the final preparations for the organization of the International Academic Conference: “Jami’ al-Musnad as-Sahih by Imam Bukhari: A Book of an Ummah – Scientific Embodiment of a Civilization of Chain of Narration and Documentation”, which will be held late August in Tashkent, under the high patronage of H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The two sides agreed on the organizational arrangements for the Conference, including the reception of guests and participants, amid expectations of the participation of a host of scholars, researchers and representatives of religious institutions from 45 countries. It was also agreed to give a prize for the best three research papers on Imam al-Bukhari and his book Al-Sahih which will be presented during the Conference. The winning papers will later be collected in a documented scientific publication, highlighting the knowledge and civilizational values associated with the heritage of Imam al-Bukhari.

Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov announced that the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent will be officially inaugurated on the National Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, coinciding with the International Academic Conference on Imam al-Bukhari. The inauguration ceremony will be attended by H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Dr. Salim AlMalik, and a number of prominent figures from the Islamic world. Dr. Abdukhalikov also revealed that ICESCO will have a permanent office within the Center, as a platform for continuous cultural and scientific cooperation between the two sides in the field of manuscripts and documentation.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the Conference will be a valuable opportunity to highlight the scientific and civilizational role of Imam al-Bukhari, and to reflect the importance of chain of narration and documentation in the Islamic heritage stressing the importance of cooperation with Uzbekistan in strengthening common cognitive, cultural and civilizational values.
For his part, Dr. Abdukhalikov appreciated the partnership with ICESCO, emphasizing that the organization of this international Conference, along with the upcoming opening of the Center of Islamic Civilization, will be a milestone in the process of promoting Islamic cultural identity at the regional and international levels.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy Director General, and Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Director General’s Office and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, participated in the meeting from ICESCO’s side.