BAKU,TurkicWorld: Abdulhamid Hamid Al-Kba / Writer and researcher specializing in Central Asia and Azerbaijan affairs
Tashkent – In an era of rapid cultural transformations sweeping the world, Uzbekistan – a land rich in history, civilization, and deep-rooted culture – is advancing with confident steps toward global prominence. This ancient territory, which has cradled great civilizations for thousands of years and served as the cradle of the Islamic Golden Age, is today experiencing a comprehensive renaissance that blends the authenticity of the past with the innovation of the present.Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, reclaiming its Timurid and Samarkand glory and rediscovering itself as a civilizational bridge between East and West.In this historic context, the official announcement of the inclusion of the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent in the list of the world’s most beautiful museums for 2026 stands as a crowning achievement of the national renaissance and an international testament to Uzbekistan’s rapid cultural ascent.In a historic step reflecting this remarkable cultural rise, the Prix Versailles – one of the world’s most prestigious architectural awards, based in Paris – has officially announced the inclusion of the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent in the list of the world’s most beautiful museums for 2026.The official announcement was made on February 28, 2026, through a formal letter from the Secretary General of the Prize, Jérôme Goudin, praising the innovation, creativity, and magnificent embodiment of national heritage combined with high environmental efficiency.This recognition is not merely an artistic ranking; it is an international certificate affirming that Uzbekistan has become a global cultural center that unites ancient heritage with contemporary ambition, reminding the world of its historic role as the cradle of Islamic sciences and arts.The Center, which will officially open in March 2026, is the largest cultural, scientific, and humanitarian complex in Central Asia. It spans a vast area of approximately 10 hectares and comprises three integrated floors that house the main museum, a research center, and a modern library containing 200,000 volumes. It was designed by architect Abd al-Khakhur Turdiev, drawing inspiration from classical Islamic architecture in Central Asia, particularly the golden Timurid era.The building features a massive turquoise mosaic dome that dominates the Tashkent skyline, reflecting the colors of the Uzbek sky and desert, along with four symmetrical gateways, each 34 meters high. These gateways represent Uzbekistan’s four regions: the eastern one inspired by the Registan complex in Samarkand, the western by the historic gates of Bukhara, while the northern and southern reflect the country’s rich regional diversity.The Center’s height is four times that of the famous Hollywood sign, and its volume exceeds that of the White House by seven times, making it a colossal architectural landmark that embodies Uzbekistan’s bold ambition.The project is distinguished by its high environmental efficiency, relying on modern technologies for energy conservation and environmental preservation – a feature explicitly praised by the Prix Versailles.The importance of the Center goes far beyond architectural aesthetics; it serves as a living bridge between the golden Islamic Renaissance and “New Uzbekistan.” It houses more than 2,000 rare manuscripts and unique historical artifacts, including one of the oldest copies of the Holy Quran in the world – the 7th-century Uthman Quran (may Allah be pleased with him), inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.It also features interactive exhibition halls using virtual reality and artificial intelligence technologies, restoration laboratories, handicraft workshops, a children’s museum, as well as research and international conference halls.The Center focuses on reviving Uzbekistan’s historic role in Islamic sciences and culture through exhibitions that tell the stories of scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Al-Biruni, who illuminated the world with their contributions. It promotes values of tolerance and civilizational dialogue, especially following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2025, making it a global platform for strengthening peace among cultures.The Center has previously received widespread international acclaim from prestigious magazines and institutions such as Smithsonian, National Geographic, BBC Travel, History, and CNN, which described it as “one of the most ambitious cultural projects of the modern era.”BBC recently included it among the six most anticipated museums for 2026.Its inclusion in the Prix Versailles list places it alongside world-renowned museums such as the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, the National Geographic Museum in Washington, and the Museum of London. Most notably, it is a candidate for one of the three major awards: the Grand Prix Versailles, or the Interior Design Award, or the Exterior Design Award, with winners to be announced at the end of 2026 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris or another venue.This achievement is partly due to the vision of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who launched the project as part of a comprehensive national cultural renaissance strategy since 2018.The Director of the Center, Firdavs Abduhalikov, confirms that it enhances Uzbekistan’s position on the global cultural map and transforms our heritage into a soft power that attracts the entire world.From my perspective, in a time dominated by polarization and division, the Islamic Civilization Center offers an inspiring model for combining heritage and modernity without any compromise on identity. It is not just a magnificent building, but a profound message of peace and civilizational dialogue, reminding us that architectural beauty can be a powerful tool for understanding the other and strengthening human unity.In conclusion, the inclusion of the Islamic Civilization Center in the list of the world’s most beautiful museums for 2026 represents a qualitative leap for Uzbekistan, confirming its ability to transform its rich heritage into a globally influential soft power. With the opening approaching in March 2026, the world eagerly awaits this towering edifice that embodies hope for a future blending historical depth with contemporary innovation, heralding a new era for culture in Central Asia and the world at large. It is not merely a museum, but a symbol of New Uzbekistan – proud of its past and building its future with confidence.Writer and Researcher in Central Asian and Azerbaijani Affairs Ready to copy – Just select the entire text above and paste it wherever you need!
