Chinese delegation visited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
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.
A unique “instrument of intellect” created in Samarkand in the 18th century at the Center for Islamic Civilization!
Uzbekistan’s first auction house — Art Vernissage — donates a unique artifact to the Center for Islamic Civilization
During the international expert forum “The Legacy of the Great Past — the Basis of an Enlightened Future” held in Tashkent, the country’s first auction house, Art Vernissage, presented the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan with a rare 18th-century artifact a brass astrolabe created in Samarkand in 1711.
This 21-cm scientific instrument is equipped with interchangeable plates, allowing its use across different geographical latitudes. Thanks to this feature, the astrolabe was considered a multifunctional scientific device of its time.
For reference: in the Islamic world, the astrolabe was not merely an astronomical tool but a symbol that combined scientific progress, practical application, religious devotion, and artistic mastery. It served as a reliable guide not only for astronomers but also for travelers, sailors, and merchants.
Great scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Fargani, and Al-Biruni described in detail the structure and use of the astrolabe in their works, further highlighting its prominent role in Islamic civilization.
“This perfect instrument, especially between the 15th and 18th centuries, was recognized as one of the most advanced devices in the world. We hope this astrolabe, now part of the Center’s exhibition, will reflect the profound knowledge and craftsmanship of Islamic scholars and leave a lasting impression on all visitors”, said Shavkat Sultanov, Director of the Art Vernissage auction house.
This donation has further enriched the Center’s exhibition and strengthened the country’s intellectual environment and cultural dialogue.
As a reminder: at the international forum held at the Center on September 26–27 this year, more than 100 experts scholars and researchers, heads of museums and libraries, and heritage specialists from over 20 countries took part. Representatives of prestigious institutions such as IRCICA, ICESCO, TURKSOY, the World Islamic League, Oxford University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Christie’s contributed with lectures and analyses.
The international community highly praised President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s initiatives to preserve the humanistic essence of Islam and to foster intercultural dialogue.