The Republic of Uzbekistan is proudly represented by its national pavilion at the "Riyadh International Book Fair 2025", taking place in the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.
The event is organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Riyadh, Alisher Navoi National Library, the Center of Islamic Civilization, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, and leading publishing houses of the country.
The pavilion showcases both contemporary and classical publications, scholarly works, and illustrated albums dedicated to the history, culture, and spiritual heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Of particular interest to visitors is a replica of the renowned Ottoman Quran preserved in Tashkent, as well as rare facsimiles of ancient manuscripts and archival documents.
In addition to the book exhibition, visitors have the opportunity to experience the richness of Uzbek culture and folk art: traditional suzani embroidery and national jewelry are on display, alongside works by miniature artists and artisans, ceramics, and traditional clothing. The pavilion also features calligraphy art, offers tastings of Uzbek dried fruits and natural sweets, and hosts an exhibition of folk crafts and decorative-applied arts.
Uzbekistan pavilion attracts significant attention from visitors. It is frequented not only by general attendees of the fair but also by entrepreneurs who take the opportunity to explore the country’s cultural exhibits while simultaneously engaging in business negotiations aimed at enhancing trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Egypt's largest daily newspaper “Al-Ahram” published an article by Ibrahim Negm, Senior Advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt, dedicated to his participation in the 1st International Forum of Islamic Civilization, which took place in Tashkent, Samarkand and Termez, reports Dunyo IA.
According to the author, the forum, held under the motto “The Path of Peace, tolerance and enlightenment”, exceeded all his expectations in terms of organization. Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan made a particularly profound and unforgettable impression on the scholar.
Article notes that the author was fascinated by the unique manuscripts, thousand-year-old copies of the Quran, and modern exhibition technologies presented at the Center. In his opinion, the past here is not merely displayed to visitors - thanks to modern museum solutions, each exhibit seems to acquire a new life.
Recalling his years of study at Harvard University, Ibrahim Negm discusses the theory of the “clash of civilizations”. He notes that despite the interpretation of this concept, according to which Islam was viewed as the main rival of the West, he had always doubted its scientific validity. According to the author, the Islamic civilization has never been in a state of stagnation and has never lagged behind global development.
During his visit to Uzbekistan, Ibrahim Negm visited historical and modern sites of the country's cultural and spiritual heritage, including the Center of Islamic Civilization, the Imam al-Bukhari complex, the Hakim al-Termizi mausoleum, and other shrines of the Islamic world. Based on the results of the trip, he concluded that the Islamic civilization and its rich spiritual and scientific heritage continue to dynamically develop, entering a new stage of their historical development.
Author also emphasizes that the Mushaf of Uthman, kept at the Center of Islamic Civilization, is one of the most valuable written relics not only of Uzbekistan but of the entire Islamic world. According to him, this manuscript represents a crucial source for studying the history of preserving the text of the Holy Quran in the first centuries of Islam.