A group of scholars in oriental and Islamic studies visited National Library of France and the Languages and Civilization Library of France in Paris in order to introduce French cultural circles with a wide range of developments in Uzbekistan reports UzA.
The main purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the activity of libraries in France, preservation of rare manuscripts of our ancestors and establish partnership among the institutions. It is worth noting that Languages and Civilization Library is unique in France which has a department for Central Asian documents. The library has manuscripts, rare books and research works in more than 350 languages from around 180 countries. More than hundred students, researchers and guests visit the library daily.
The sides agreed on exchange of specialists and presentation of books published in Uzbekistan which was held the same day at the library where 15 books published by Imam Bukhari International scientific-research center was shown. The Uzbek delegation felt proud to hear Mr. Benjamin Gishar’s acknowledgment that Uzbekistan stood out among Central Asian countries with its rich scientific potential. He also mentioned that Imam Bukhari’s XVII century “Sahihi Bukhari”, Ibn Sina’s “The Laws of Treatment”, Mirzo Ulugbek’s “Ziji jadidi Kuragoni”, Mahmud Zamahshariy’s “Mukaddamatul adab” were among the true treasures of the libarary and in that respect French part was willing to cooperate with Uzbek specialists to study the manuscripts.
During the talks held in the National Library of France which has 31 million books it was concluded that specialists from Imam Bukhari International Research Center and The Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan would be given access to the manuscripts in order to get copies from VIII-XI centuries Qur’an, Imam Bukhari, Khorezmi, Beruniy and Fergani’s works in Arabic and Latin languages. Within the framework of “Cultural Employee” program two practitioners from Uzbekistan would be admitted for manuscript digitalization specialization.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
Reputable Saudi newspaper “Watan” has published a comprehensive article titled “What we read in books we live in Uzbekistan”, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication, intended for readers across the Arab world, highlights the place of Uzbekistan’s rich Islamic civilizational and cultural heritage in the history and contemporary development of Central Asia.
As the author notes, in an era of globalization and digital technologies, when it is becoming increasingly difficult to experience genuine wonder and appreciate true uniqueness, a journey to Uzbekistan offers an opportunity to rediscover knowledge once known only through historical sources - and to see it come to life.
“In Uzbekistan, you do not simply recall historical knowledge; you experience a unique journey through time between the past and the future. In the ancient cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, names familiar from history books - Mawarannahr, Shash, the Fergana Valley, Jayhun, and Sayhun - take shape in magnificent architectural monuments and a living culture”, the author writes.
Publication also highlights the conference organized in Tashkent by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) jointly with the Center of Islamic Civilization, which houses the Uthman Mushaf. It also speaks highly of the architectural beauty of the Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Al-Maturidi complexes in Samarkand, the Registan and Shah-i-Zinda ensembles, as well as the mausoleums of Qutham ibn Abbas and Amir Temur.
The author particularly emphasizes the contribution to world science made by such eminent scholars as Imam Al-Bukhari, Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, the founder of mathematics and astronomy, and Imam At-Tirmidhi. The article also highlights the historical significance of the cities of the Fergana Valley - Andijan, Namangan, Margilan and Kokand and their centuries-old cultural and scholarly ties with the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic world.
In conclusion, the author notes that the sincere greeting extended by young people of Uzbekistan - students and volunteers to the guests in Arabic, “Welcome, guests of Imam Al-Bukhari!”, made a particularly profound impression on the Saudi delegation.