Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent: Emphasis on interethnic harmony and inclusivity
A ceremonial opening of the Center of Islamic Civilization—one of the largest cultural and humanitarian projects in the country—took place in Tashkent. The project was implemented on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The event carried not only cultural but also significant socio-political importance, demonstrating the state’s commitment to strengthening interethnic harmony and respecting ethnocultural diversity.
Special attention was given to the participation of representatives of national minorities living in Uzbekistan, as well as leaders of national cultural centers. They were integrated not only into the cultural program but also into the official part of the ceremony. Among the participants were leaders of Russian, Turkmen, Kazakh, Tajik, and Tatar communities, who also took part in a ceremonial iftar organized as part of the event.
Their involvement was clearly systemic in nature and reflected the authorities’ intention to promote a model of an inclusive society in which various ethnic groups act as equal participants in national development. The emphasis on interethnic issues was highlighted at the highest level: official speeches underscored the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect, supporting cultural and linguistic diversity, and creating conditions for the full participation of all ethnic groups in public life.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly emphasized the priority of interethnic harmony, and the opening of the Center became a practical confirmation of this policy, including through the demonstrative inclusion of national cultural center leaders in the ceremony.
The Center of Islamic Civilization is positioned not only as a research and museum complex but also as a universal platform for intercultural dialogue, with plans to involve a wide range of participants regardless of their ethnic or religious background. This aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader development concept as a state combining national traditions with openness.
The format of the event also holds foreign policy significance: through such initiatives, Uzbekistan shapes its international image as a space of stability, tolerance, and managed cultural diversity, where interethnic relations remain under constant attention of the state and its leadership.
