The 8th International Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU) was held in Tashkent and Samarkand from 23 to 26 August 2024. The congress, themed “The Heritage of Great Ancestors – The Foundation of the Third Renaissance,” was organized by the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan (Tashkent), with the support of the Government of Uzbekistan and Eriell Group and the participation of partner institutions including TÜRKSOY, IRCICA, and Al-Furqan Foundation (London). It was opened with the message of the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Close to 300 experts and delegates (180 from 35 countries) participated in the congress. During the sessions, the representatives of institutions were invited to formulate suggestions for joint projects to be conducted with the Center of Islamic Civilization (Tashkent) and Imam Bukhari Museum (Samarkand). Dr. Firdaus Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, noted the importance of the congress in promoting Uzbekistan’s new development path in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, and its fostering effective cooperation with local scholars and the international expert community to study, preserve, and promote the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people.
In his comprehensive address delivered during the session on “Education and Enlightenment in the Medieval World: From Maktabs to Universities (9th–20th centuries)”, IRCICA Director General Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç reviewed the working relationships established by IRCICA with different research institutions in Uzbekistan including the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, Imam Bukhari International Scientific-Research Center, Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. The Director General also alluded to the projects under consideration in the field of written cultural heritage and briefed the audience on ongoing developments in IRCICA’s activities, including new books, history congresses, and art competitions.
Another main feature of the congress was the presentation of the Society’s publications from the series “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections,” “Quran copies of Uzbekistan,” facsimiles of unique manuscripts, and innovative projects planned for the museums of the Center of Islamic Civilization and the Imam Bukhari Museum. An exhibition of IRCICA’s publications was organized during the congress sessions in Samarkand, displaying including studies on early manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an, proceedings books of congresses held in Uzbekistan, and albums of awarded calligraphic works from IRCICA’s competitions.
During the congress period, IRCICA Director General held meetings with the heads and members of the organizing institutions and other scholarly centers in Uzbekistan, to discuss possibilities of cooperation in areas of common interest. One of them was the Chairman of the Board of Ibn Sina Public Foundation Dr. Nozimkhon Makhmudov, on 24 August 2024.
