As it was informed earlier, a group of scholars on Islamic and oriental studies have visited Oxford and later Cambridge University. They met with professors and discussed future research perspectives.
Partnership agreements between Central Asian Forum of Cambridge University and Center for Islamic Civilization, Imam Buhari scientific-research center, The Center for research on Uzbek cultural heritage abroad and Tashkent Islamic University were signed.
According to the agreement scholars from Cambridge University are expected to provide lectures at Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and Tashkent Islamic University and participate in international conferences. Scientific articles of Uzbek researches are going to be published in Cambridge magazines.
The sides agreed on establishing Khorazmi and Ibn Sina scholarships. Cambridge University expressed its willingness to cooperate in scientific and family tourism.
Dr. Siddharth Saxena highly evaluated positive developments in the sphere of ancient cultural heritage research. He also noted that British Oxford and Cambridge University buildings were constructed similar to the architectural styles of madrasahs in Bukhara and Samarkand whic once again proves that friendship relationships were established centuries ago.
We greatly benefit from scientific cooperation with scientists from Uzbekistan as there is great need at our university for specialists who work on cataloging manuscripts in Turkish and Farsi.
It should be noted with great applause that Uzbek lessons started to be offered at Cambridge University since February 12th, 2018. According to the agreements specialists visiting Cambridge from Uzbekistan would be providing Uzbek lessons.
At the end of the meetings the sides expressed their gratitude to the leaders of both countries for the friendly mutual relationships in all spheres of life including science.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
The manuscript of the Uthmanic Mushaf preserved at the Library of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan is currently undergoing codicological examination.
This research involves a team of scholars including Shaykh Alijon Qori Fayzullah, Head of the “Qur’an and Tajwid Education” Department; Kamoliddin Mahkamov, Head of the Library Department; and Jahongir Qori Nematov, Head of the “Qur’anic Studies” Department at Tashkent Islamic Institute.
Shaykh Alijon Qori Fayzullah emphasized the importance of observing accuracy and trustworthiness when studying and reproducing the script of the Mushaf. He highlighted significant rules of orthography and recitation (qira’at) related to the original handwriting of the Uthmanic Mushaf currently kept at the “Muhi Muborak” Madrasa Museum.
The digital copy of the original Uthmanic Mushaf serves as the main object of the study. In preparing the critical text, researchers also refer to other ancient copies of the Mushaf preserved in Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Each line of the manuscript is being carefully rewritten, with verse and line numbers marked in red. Any textual discrepancies found in the 19th-century copied version are noted in the margins and explained through scholarly commentary.
With the support of the Fund for the Development of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan, both local and international experts — including Dr. Christine Rose from the University of Cambridge, French restorers Achel Delaeau and Coralie Barbe, and Nil Baydar, Head of the Istanbul Manuscripts Workshop and Archive Department — have developed a phased restoration plan to ensure the long-term preservation of the sacred manuscript.
Press Service of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan