At the crossroads of ancient history and modernity, Uzbekistan has completed one of its most ambitious cultural projects: the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent. It is not merely a museum; it is a large-scale cultural and educational complex designed to reinterpret the role of Islamic heritage in world history.
The Center was inaugurated on March 17, 2026, during the final days of the holy month of Ramadan, marking the completion of one of the country’s most significant cultural and scholarly initiatives. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally laid the cornerstone on June 15, 2018. The three-story building measures 145 meters in length and 115 meters in width, with its central dome rising 65 meters into the sky.
The building is included in the Guinness Book of Records due to its unique indicators, and has been recognized as one of the 10 most anticipated museums in the world in 2026 by Smithsonian Magazine.
The most breathtaking feature of the building is its Quran Hall. At its center stands the 7th-century Mushaf of Uthman, preserved beneath the great dome and recognized by UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The hall also features a gallery of 114 Qur’ans tracing the evolution of Islamic calligraphy, and the space is designed not only for display but also for contemplation, with continuous Qur’an recitation planned inside. A carefully designed light beam from the dome descends directly onto the ancient Quran, a symbolic gesture representing divine light from heaven.
The star pattern under the dome was formed based on a map of stars visible at night in the sky of Tashkent. More than 90 Swarovski stones and 650 lamps were used to recreate it.
The building draws inspiration from classical Islamic architecture of Central Asia, particularly the Timurid era, known for its grand mosaic-covered archways, blue tile-covered domes, and intricate ornamentation. Interactive displays bring alive breakthroughs in algebra, astronomy, and medicine, some of the most important discoveries of the Golden Age of Islam.
President Mirziyoyev stated: “Our most important task is to convey to the global community the truly humanistic essence of Islam. Islam calls us to goodness and peace.” This extraordinary building now stands as a powerful symbol of faith, knowledge, and civilization for the entire Muslim world.
