The Islamic Civilization Center, a major cultural and research complex, officially opened in Tashkent on March 17 in the historic Hazrati Imam area, according to daryo.uz. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the ceremony.
The complex reportedly covers 10 hectares. The three-story building measures 161 meters in length and 118 meters in width, with a dome rising 65 meters high. Its total floor space is about 50,000 square meters. daryo.uz says the site could qualify for inclusion in the Guinness World Records.
Over eight years of construction, the center’s collection has grown to include more than 2,000 historical items, including over 60 rare Quran manuscripts. In the past year alone, more than 1,500 exhibits were added, including around 800 manuscripts, archaeological artifacts, and historical maps.
The center has collaborated with international auction houses, collectors, and art dealers, bringing 743 original artifacts to Uzbekistan.
For the first time in the country’s museum practice, international experts conducted scientific analysis of the chemical composition and age of all exhibits in a modern laboratory, with detailed documentation prepared for each item.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the Hall of the Holy Quran, which houses one of the world’s six oldest Qurans — the Uthman Quran.
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The museum also holds 114 additional rare Quran manuscripts from different historical periods.
Specialists from multiple countries, including France, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Russia, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, India, and Central Asian nations, took part in the design, construction, and technological оснащение of the center.
Visitors are offered modern features such as robotic guides, tablets with audio and video content, and audio guide systems similar to those used in leading museums worldwide.
The center is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 visitors ежедневно. More than 400 staff will be required for full operation under international standards. Currently, over 100 controllers and more than 30 guides are already working, with tailored tour programs available for visitors from 10 countries.
