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.
ICESCO Publishes Landmark Scientific Study on Imam al-Bukhari’s “Al-Jami‘ al-Sahih” with Contributions from Scholars in 16 Countries
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has presented a new landmark scholarly publication titled “Al-Jami‘ al-Musnad al-Sahih of Imam al-Bukhari: The Book of the Ummah. A Scientific Representation of the Civilization of Isnād and Hadith Authentication,” reports Dunyo IA.
Leading scholars and researchers from 16 countries contributed to the preparation of the publication.
The book is the result of the International Scientific Conference “Imam al-Bukhari’s Work ‘Al-Jami‘ al-Sahih’ – The Book of the Ummah,” held on July 9–10, 2026, in Samarkand. The international scientific and practical conference was organized by the Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, the Imam al-Bukhari International Research Center, and ICESCO.
The new publication, comprising nearly 800 pages, represents one of the most extensive modern studies dedicated to the scholarly legacy of the great Islamic scholar Imam al-Bukhari. It includes academic articles covering contemporary research in hadith studies, the history of Islamic scholarship, and methods of verifying the authenticity of hadiths.
The book focuses on five major thematic areas: the historical and scholarly environment in which Imam al-Bukhari lived and worked; his unique methodology for selecting and classifying hadiths; rare manuscripts of Sahih al-Bukhari preserved in libraries around the world; the contributions of scholars from different eras to the study and dissemination of this significant work; and modern academic discussions surrounding Sahih al-Bukhari, including well-founded responses to existing critiques.
The publication marks an important contribution to international cooperation in the field of Islamic studies and highlights Uzbekistan’s growing role as one of the world’s leading centers for research into the rich spiritual and scholarly heritage of Imam al-Bukhari.
The book also contributes to the preservation and promotion of Islamic scientific heritage among researchers, students, and a wide global audience.
