On Thursday 28 October 2024, the Managing Director of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, Mr Sali Shahsivari, accompanied by members of Al-Furqan's working team, welcomed at the Foundation's headquarters in London prominent cultural delegations from the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The delegation was headed by Dr Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. It included senior and notable figures such as: Dr Shakhzod Islamov, Officer of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Dr Uyghun Gafurov, Rector of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan; Dr Shovosil Ziyodov, Director of the Imam Bukhari International Research Center; Dr Jamoliddin Karimov, Director of the Imam Maturidi International Research Center; Dr Muzaffar Joniyev, Acting Director of the Imam Tirmidhi International Research Center; and Dr Rustam Jabbarov, Scientific Secretary of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.
HE Mr Ravshan Usmanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London, was a special guest at the event.
The World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) was represented at the gathering. Also present were junior researchers and staff from the aforementioned cultural institutions.
After welcoming the guests, Mr Shahsivari gave a brief update of the work of Al-Furqan and the projects that the Foundation has been undertaking in partnership with various Uzbek institutions. He highlighted the global reach that Al-Furqan has covered in its promotion of Islamic heritage over the past 36 year, including the fruitful endeavours in Uzbekistan, which the Foundation looks forward to continuing.
HE Mr Usmanov praised the "new energy" for examining and promoting the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
In his remarks, Dr Abdukhalikov underscored the importance of the current cooperation with Al-Furqan, and calling for the continuation of such collaboration, especially given the rich culture and heritage of Uzbekistan. He suggested holding more meetings in 2025 and establishing a committee of experts made up of scholars from both sides to help in the promotion of Islamic heritage in Uzbekistan.
The key members of the delegation presented various projects that could be undertaken in cooperation with Al-Furqan Foundation.
Dr Gafurov suggested in his remarks that Al-Furqan Foundation organise "master classes" at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan on how to deal with Islamic manuscripts, highlighting the Al-Furqan's expertise as well as the importance of Uzbekistan's cultural place in central Asia.
In his remarks, Dr Shovosil Ziyodov noted that Al-Furqan publications that were previously sent to the Imam Bukhari International Research Center have been very beneficial for their Center in its publishing of critical editions of manuscripts. He called on Al-Furqan to organise "master classes" on codicology as well as help in the process of cataloguing manuscripts.
For his part, Dr Karimov highlighted the cooperation between Al-Furqan and the Imam Maturidi International Research Center, calling for widening that collaboration. He listed a number of critical editions that his Center recently published, and expressed his wish that future books be published in cooperation with the Foundation.
Dr Muzaffar Joniyev praised in his remarks the ongoing cooperation between Al-Furqan and the Imam Tirmidhi International Research Center. He called on the Foundation to be involved in his Center's project of cataloguing all the scholars that are linked to the Termez region in Uzbekistan.
Mr Shahsivari noted that while the Foundation cannot be involved in the all of projects that it is invited to participate in, "we are eager to cooperate where we can" and to collaborate on initiatives of common ground. He and the delegations discussed current joint projects and the possibilities of expanding cooperation with Uzbek cultural institutions.
The delegations showcased recent publications from their respective institutions, while Al-Furqan displayed the books it has on Uzbekistan in its library.
The event concluded with exchange of symbolic gifts, and taking ceremonial photos.
