Uzbekistan FM Praises Egypt’s Historic Global Role

During a cultural event hosted at the Grand Egyptian Museum, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, praised Egypt as a global beacon of knowledge, creativity, and a historic crossroads linking Africa, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean.

The event, titled "Uzbekistan and Egypt: A Dialogue of Civilizations and Heritage," was organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan to showcase the upcoming Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

The high-profile gathering was attended by Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, alongside Assistant Foreign Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Heba Zaki, and senior representatives from Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Grand Mufti’s office, and the Ministry of Endowments. Diplomatic dignitaries from Singapore, Turkey, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan were also in attendance.

An Enduring Global Inspiration

In his keynote address, Minister Saidov emphasized that Egypt's cultural and scientific contributions transcend time and geography.

"The masterpieces of Egypt’s scholars, thinkers, architects, artisans, and artists continue to inspire generations worldwide," Saidov stated. "Preserving the legacy of the past is not merely an act of remembrance; it is an investment in the future that strengthens identity, fosters mutual understanding, and enriches upcoming generations."

The Uzbek Foreign Minister praised the Grand Egyptian Museum as a cultural landmark of international significance. He noted that the museum beautifully reflects Egypt's vision and unwavering commitment to showcasing shared human heritage, offering millions of global visitors a chance to appreciate the resilience and creativity defining great civilizations.

Deep Historical Ties and Shared Islamic Heritage

Highlighting centuries of intellectual exchange, Saidov pointed out that the movement of scholars between Central Asia and Egypt heavily enriched Islamic civilization and global history. He brought forward prominent historical figures who bridge the two regions:

Ahmad ibn Tulun: The founder of the Tulunid dynasty in Egypt, whose ancestral roots trace directly back to Central Asia.

Ahmad al-Farghani: The legendary astronomer and engineer from the Fergana Valley who traveled to Egypt and made groundbreaking contributions to astronomy and engineering, including his work on the Nile Nilometer.

Saidov noted that the current lands of Uzbekistan birthed some of history's most influential minds, including Imam al-Jawhari, Imam al-Tirmidhi, Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, al-Khwarizmi, al-Farghani, al-Biruni, and Ibn Sina (Avicenna).

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent

Building upon this shared academic legacy, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev initiated the creation of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. Located within the historic Imam Complex in the capital city of Tashkent, Saidov clarified that the project is far more than a traditional museum.

"The Center serves as an international platform for research, education, and dialogue," the Minister explained. "It bridges the past and the future by combining advanced digital exhibition technologies, scientific research facilities, manuscript restoration labs, and international conference platforms."

Expanding Cultural and Academic Partnerships

Uzbekistan is actively looking to expand its international partnerships with global organizations like UNESCO and ICESCO, as well as academic institutions and museums worldwide.

Saidov emphasized that Uzbekistan sees immense potential in building direct collaborative ties between the new Tashkent center and Egyptian research hubs, universities, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. He concluded his speech by extending an open invitation to Egyptian scholars, researchers, museum specialists, and tourists to visit Uzbekistan and experience this shared heritage firsthand.