His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan commended the achievements of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in implementing the joint action plan with Uzbekistan, reaffirming his country’s commitment to continuing this partnership.

This came during a meeting held on Friday, 10 July 2026, at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace in Tashkent, where the Uzbek President received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, accompanied by his delegation.

His Excellency the President expressed appreciation for ICESCO’s successful implementation of all the initiatives and programs included in the joint action plan signed more than two years ago, highlighting the tangible outcomes achieved in education, culture, science, and heritage preservation.

Moreover, the President praised the programs and projects carried out by ICESCO in Uzbekistan over recent years, noting his country’s strong commitment to Islamic civilization, safeguarding heritage, disseminating knowledge, promoting a culture of peace, and supporting initiatives that showcase the civilizational contributions of the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the President, commending his civilizational vision, personal engagement in overseeing joint projects, and dedication to advancing this partnership to broader horizons.

The ICESCO Director-General noted that the meeting addressed the development of a new action plan encompassing flagship initiatives in Islamic civilization, education, culture, science, heritage protection, and capacity building, with a view to strengthening Uzbekistan’s position and serving ICESCO Member States.

Additionally, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation for the strong support extended by the President to ICESCO, emphasizing that such support reflects his belief in the importance of joint action in advancing development efforts.

Dr. AlMalik further conveyed to the President the admiration expressed by participants in the International Forum on Islamic Civilization, The Path of Peace, Tolerance, and Enlightenment, held at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent on 7–8 July 2026, as well as the International Conference on Imam Al-Bukhari, hosted at the Imam Al-Bukhari Memorial Complex in Samarkand. He noted that both events brought together leading muftis, ministers, scholars, researchers, intellectuals, and business leaders from across the world.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik renewed his thanks to the President, praising his vision, which has positioned the Republic of Uzbekistan as a global center for Islamic civilization, a hub for knowledge, and a platform for civilizational initiatives.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector. On the Uzbek side, attendees included Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; His Eminence Shaykh Nuriddin Kholiknazarov, Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and Mufti of the Republic; Mr. Khayriddin Sultanov, Advisor to the President; and a number of senior presidential officials.

His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan awarded Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Order of Friendship of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Doʻstlik) on Friday, 10 July 2026, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strengthening cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and ICESCO and elevating this partnership to new horizons.

The decoration was awarded in appreciation of Dr. AlMalik’s efforts in supporting the civilizational and cultural initiatives implemented by ICESCO in cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as his contributions to promoting the values of friendship, solidarity, and trust among peoples, fostering intercultural dialogue, and advancing shared human values.

This honor reflects the culmination of the distinguished strategic partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and ICESCO, which has, in recent years, witnessed the implementation of numerous pioneering initiatives and programs in education, culture, science, heritage preservation, and capacity building, in addition to cooperation on several major civilizational projects that highlight Uzbekistan’s historical role in advancing Islamic civilization.

Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep pride in receiving the decoration, affirming that it represents recognition of the role played by ICESCO and the efforts of its staff and partners across the Member States. He noted that it also reflects the depth of the close relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Organization.

The Director-General of ICESCO extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for this prestigious honor, commending his civilizational vision, which has made Uzbekistan a global center of Islamic civilization, a beacon of knowledge, and a hub for cultural and scientific cooperation. He also reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to continuing joint efforts in support of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic world.

Dr. AlMalik: The Conference Addresses Attempts to Cast Doubt on the Spiritual and Civilizational Foundations of the Islamic World

The International Scientific Conference “Al-Jami’ al-Musnad al-Sahih by Imam al-Bukhari: The Book of an Ummah” kicked off on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan. The conference is organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, under the patronage of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the participation of prominent scholars, researchers, and representatives of religious and academic institutions from several countries across the Islamic world.

The conference commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Dr. Muzaffar Kamilov, Head of the Department for Religious and Educational Affairs within the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, who emphasized that the legacy of Imam Al-Bukhari is no longer a symbolic heritage belonging solely to Uzbekistan, but has become a shared legacy of the Islamic Ummah and humanity at large, requiring strengthened international cooperation in its study, preservation, and transmission to future generations.

Following this, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, Advisor at the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Member of the Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia, and Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, stated that Imam Al-Bukhari represents a distinguished model in the service of the Prophetic Sunnah. Honoring him, he noted, lies in preserving his scholarly legacy and educating future generations to follow his scientific and ethical approach. He also commended Uzbekistan’s efforts, under the leadership of H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in safeguarding and promoting this heritage in a manner befitting its status.

For his part, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, affirmed that the conference embodies scholarly fidelity to an imam who devoted 16 years of his life to compiling a single work, traveling extensively and selecting from among 600,000 hadiths to produce a refined body of knowledge that has become a guiding beacon for the Ummah. He stressed that the life of Imam Al-Bukhari is not merely a luminous chapter in the history of hadith sciences, but a unique model of dedication to knowledge and the pursuit of truth.

Dr. AlMalik added that convening the event reflects the need to address attempts to cast doubt on the spiritual and civilizational foundations of the Ummah by reviving the legacy of great scholars. He noted that ICESCO is honored to undertake the scientific coordination of the conference, proposing the organization of an annual conference on the Prophetic Hadith, along with the establishment of an annual award dedicated to hadith studies and the preservation of its legacy.

The conference also featured the screening of a video titled “The Story of Al-Bukhari: A Prodigy in the Science of Hadith,” prepared by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, and produced by the Organization’s Media and Communication Sector using advanced artificial intelligence technologies.

For his part, Mr. Sodiq Donaqulovich Toshboyev, Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of Uzbekistan, highlighted that the comprehensive study of the intellectual heritage of the Ummah’s predecessors is among his country’s key priorities. He shed light on efforts to publish and translate Imam Al-Bukhari’s works and adopt modern scholarly methodologies for their study.

Moreover, Mufti Nuriddin Khaliqnazarov, Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, underlined that the significance of Sahih al-Bukhari extends beyond its religious and scholarly value to its role in reinforcing the unity of the Ummah and preserving its heritage. Meanwhile, Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslim Board, noted that greater global awareness of Imam Al-Bukhari would further enhance the standing of Samarkand and its scholarly environment.

The opening session concluded with the honoring of researchers and specialists who presented outstanding papers on the conference themes. These contributions were published in a book supervised by ICESCO under the title “Al-Jami’ al-Musnad al-Sahih by Imam al-Bukhari: The Book of an Ummah,” as part of efforts to document the conference’s scientific discussions and extend the benefit of its outcomes.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Turkic Academy, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation (TCHF), and Al-Furqaan Foundation signed a cooperation agreement to launch the International Islamic Calligraphy Competition and the Manuscript Quran Initiative.

The Agreement was signed on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, at the headquarters of the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent, on the sidelines of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization. It aims to join efforts to preserve, study, develop, and promote Islamic calligraphy, as well as to support the production of a manuscript Quran, reflecting the high status of this art in the history of the Islamic world and its scientific, aesthetic, and spiritual dimensions.

Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, affirmed that the Organization attaches particular importance to Islamic calligraphy and heritage manuscripts due to their significance in the civilizational memory of the Islamic world. He noted that this cooperation embodies a collective commitment to preserving this human heritage and strengthening its presence on the international cultural scene.

The Agreement provides for the launch of the International Islamic Calligraphy Competition, targeting calligraphers, scholars, experts, and masters of manuscript arts from across the Islamic world, as well as the organization of exhibitions showcasing participating works and promoting them widely within international cultural and academic circles.

The Agreement also includes the launch of the Manuscript Quran Initiative as a cultural and spiritual project embodying the highest traditions of Islamic calligraphy, alongside the organization of exhibitions, conferences, practical workshops, and educational programs. It further seeks to expand cooperation with museums, libraries, research centers, and cultural organizations, thereby contributing to the preservation of this heritage and highlighting its civilizational value for future generations.

Participants in the First International Forum, themed “Islamic Civilization: The Path of Peace, Tolerance, and Enlightenment,” held in Uzbekistan from 7 to 11 July 2026, issued the Forum Declaration, which includes a set of pioneering international recommendations and initiatives aimed at promoting global peace, mutual respect, and the revival and preservation of the rich heritage of Islamic civilization.

The Declaration was delivered by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). It commended the historic initiative of His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, presented in 2017 at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, which aims to revive, study, and promote the human heritage of Islamic civilization. This vision has materialized through the establishment of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the convening of this inaugural forum.

The Declaration emphasized the significant contributions of Islamic civilization to the development of the humanities and ethical and spiritual thought, highlighting the importance of scientifically grounded studies of religious and cultural heritage in strengthening international trust and countering misconceptions about Islam.

It also announced the establishment of the Global Forum on Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, aimed at unifying the efforts of international organizations, academic and scientific institutions, and relevant entities to safeguard and valorize the civilizational heritage of the Islamic world.

The Declaration further outlined several international initiatives:

Establishing a unified global digital register of Islamic civilization heritage through a dedicated platform for manuscripts, archival materials, archaeological monuments, intangible cultural heritage, and scientific research outputs;
Cooperating in the implementation of an international program titled “Islamic Civilization: Heritage of All Humanity,” including the organization of international exhibitions, conferences, educational projects, and cultural events highlighting the contributions of Islamic civilization to science, culture, and education;
Launching an International Prize for Islamic Civilization to recognize outstanding contributions to the study, preservation, and promotion of its heritage;
Establishing an international foundation for research on Islamic civilization to support scientific research, the restoration of monuments, and the training of researchers;
Creating a digital library of Islamic civilization encompassing manuscripts, scholarly works, archival documents, and educational resources;
Publishing the International Encyclopedia of Islamic Civilization, covering biographies of prominent scholars, intellectual schools, cultural landmarks, and major achievements of the Islamic world;
Preparing an annual international report on the state of Islamic civilization heritage, including assessments of heritage sites, research findings, and current challenges;
Establishing a permanent platform for young researchers, scholars, students, and cultural heritage specialists in the Islamic world titled “International Youth Forum on Islamic Civilization”;
Founding the International Union of Museums of Islamic Culture, Arts, and Civilization to strengthen cooperation among leading museums and exhibitions, organize joint exhibitions, and implement research, restoration, educational, and digital projects.

The Declaration concluded by emphasizing the importance of developing an action plan to implement these initiatives by 2030 and urging all participating countries, international organizations, and scientific institutions to cooperate in their implementation.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the International Imam Al-Bukhari Award, with the aim of celebrating outstanding contributions to the study and preservation of Islamic civilization, highlighting Imam Al-Bukhari’s scholarly role in the development of Islamic sciences and Hadith studies, and showcasing Uzbekistan’s historical role in the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of intercultural dialogue.

The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as part of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization. The MoU was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center, in the presence of several ICESCO leaders and officials from the Center.

The Award seeks to honor scholars, researchers, international institutions, universities, and cultural organizations whose work contributes to advancing knowledge across the Islamic world, preserving scientific and manuscript heritage, promoting the values of peace and enlightenment, and strengthening dialogue among cultures and civilizations. It also aims to support academic and knowledge-based initiatives that present Islamic heritage through its humanistic and civilizational dimensions.

The terms of the agreement stipulate that the Award be divided into five main categories: outstanding contributions to the study of Imam Al-Bukhari’s legacy; specialized research in Hadith sciences and Islamic studies; preservation and promotion of Islamic manuscript heritage; contributions to Islamic civilization, education, and enlightenment; and contributions to peace, tolerance, and intercultural dialogue, as well as a special award for young researchers.