On September 1, 2017 Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited “Khazrati Imam Complex” and talked to the state and religious scholars, leaders and representatives of the Committee on Religious Affairs, Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization where the president gave a number of tasks. One of such tasks was to organize grand competition on Qur’an recitation around the country.
The competition which is going to be organized by the initiative of the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will be open for all citizens aged between 18-40 years old. Besides students from various madrasas and Tashkent Islamic Institute who traditionally took part in the event, this time imams, assistant imams, muazzins (callers for prayer ) and all other citizens who can read Qur’an and willing to participate in the competition.
The contest will be held in two nominations: khifz (reciters of Qur’an who learned Qur’an by heart and tilavat (those who can read Qur’an correctly by rules).
Participants are divided into two age groups:
18‒25 years old;
25‒40 year old.
According to the contest schedule an initial stage will be held in provinces in March 2018 and the final stage in April 2018. The registration for the participation will be between January 1-10, 2018.
Qur’an contest will host also females participants.
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.