On May 12, 2018 Chinese delegation headed by Hasan Yang Fa Ming, Chairman of Islamic Union of China visited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan. The guests were received by Sheikh Abdulaziz Mansur, Deputy Chairman of Muslim Board of Uzbekistan who opened the meeting with introductory speech about positive development in the religious sphere in our country.
In its turn Mr. Hasan Yang Fa Ming noted that there were more than 50 different nationalities living in China, among 30 million Muslims in China there were Uzbek, Uyghur, Huey, Kazak, Tatar, Tajik, Dunsyan, Salar, Boan and other nationalities. Almost half of Chinese live in Sinzhan-Uygur autonomous region. There are 30 thousand mosques and 10 Islamic educational establishments. Chinese government pays equal attention to all religious representations and their activity is coordinated by the Committee for religious affairs. Islamic religious organizations are run by Chinese Islamic Association. This organization has more than 70 employees. Fetwas (religious relics) are based on Hanafi mazkhab with Moturidi creed. 99% of Chinese Muslims follow Hanafi mazkhab. Mr. Hasan Yang also mentioned that Chinese Muslims were pleased to see Uzbek delegation in the International Islamic Symposium held in Urumchi in 2016. The Chairman of Islamic Union of China expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, showed his readiness for partnership and cordially invited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan to visit China.
Nuriymon Abulhasan, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the Religious Affairs and Firdavs Halilov, Deputy Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization also made informative speeches about the scope of activities carried out in the religious sphere.
The sides exchanged with gifts.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.
Egyptian publication “Al-Ahram Weekly” has published an article titled “Uzbekistan’s cultural renaissance: How the Silk Road Civilization is reclaiming its voice on the global stage”, highlights the country's cultural revival, the development of the creative economy and the expansion of international cultural cooperation, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication notes that for centuries, Uzbekistan sat at the very heart of the Great Silk Road, connecting the civilizations, religions and cultures of Asia, the Middle East and Europe and today, it is once again capturing the attention of the global community.
According to Gayane Umerova, Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, culture, tourism and the creative economy are envisioned as fundamental pillars of the nation’s future, alongside infrastructure and industry. This approach, as noted, defines the state mandate to open Uzbekistan to the world and to welcome the world back to Uzbekistan.
Publication highlights that the nation's strategy extends beyond restoring historical sites to establishing new cultural platforms, including the Bukhara Biennial, the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent, the future Jadid Heritage Museum and international exhibition participation. This approach signifies a multifaceted cultural development policy.
Publication separately underscores the development of the creative economy and its nexus with cultural diplomacy and the nation’s investment attractiveness. It notes that every major cultural initiative in Uzbekistan is originally designed with a strategic focus on tourism development and investment attraction, including the “Samarkand Express” project, implemented in partnership with the Italian company “Arsenale Group”.
Publication also highlights the international acclaim received by Uzbekistan’s cultural projects, including the nation’s “Garden of Knowledge” pavilion at “Expo 2025 Osaka”, which was honored with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award.
Particular emphasis is placed on the preservation of Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage, the advancement of museum infrastructure and the implementation of projects aimed at integrating historical legacy into the contemporary cultural context, including the Bukhara master development plan designed by the “Wilmotte & Associés” architectural bureau.
A dedicated section of the article focuses on Uzbekistan’s cultural cooperation with Egypt and the Arab world. It notes that the sides are discussing prospects for interaction in the fields of museum management, tourism, and cultural heritage preservation, alongside the development of institutional partnerships.
According to the publication, a highly symbolic milestone was the election of Professor Khaled El-Anany as Director-General of UNESCO during the 43rd session of the organization’s General Conference, which took place in Samarkand.
In conclusion, it underscores that Uzbekistan is envisioned as a nation that remains profoundly loyal to its traditions while simultaneously advancing modern cultural and creative industries, thereby strengthening international cultural cooperation.