The first steps of diplomacy: The correspondence between Timur and Charles VI
At the end of the 14th century, the correspondence between the great commander Amir Timur and King Charles VI of France, along with the memoirs of the Vatican envoy Ivan Grinlon about Timur’s court, are presented at the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. These documents represent not only a unique chapter in the history of diplomacy but also invaluable sources that introduce our nation’s scientific and cultural heritage to the world.
In the “Second Renaissance” section of the Center’s museum, early Islamic sources, medieval scholars’ manuscripts, and rare documents from the Timurid era are brought together in one space.
In the exhibition dedicated to the era of Amir Timur, every aspect of the sovereign’s activity state administration, domestic policy, and international relations is presented on a scholarly basis. Among the displayed materials are decrees, letters, and royal correspondences written in the Arabic script. One of them is a decree granted by Amir Timur to the descendants of the sayyids of Khwarazm, reflecting the great ruler’s profound respect for scholars.
“Each era has its own laws: over time, the number of artifacts decreases. Yet the survival of original sources from the period of Amir Timur is a great fortune for history”, says Sanjar G‘ulomov, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.
The most captivating part of the exhibition features the correspondence between Amir Timur, King Charles VI of France, and the Vatican. Written in 1402, these letters are among the earliest examples in the history of world diplomacy. Accompanying them is the Vatican envoy Ivan Grinlon’s work “Memoirs on the Court of Amir Timur”, which provides detailed information about court life, state governance, and international relations.
These documents show that Amir Timur was not only a great military leader but also a statesman with exceptional diplomatic skill. He established active political relations with France, the Vatican, China, India, and several other nations.
It should be noted that many of the exhibits displayed in the museum are original, centuries-old artifacts that have been carefully preserved. As previously reported, the correspondence between Amir Timur and King Charles VI of France was expected to arrive in Uzbekistan, and now these historic documents have rightfully taken their place in the museum’s collection. Moreover, with the help of modern technology, visitors can view the manuscripts digitally or explore them interactively.
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.
