A symposium held in Doha on Monday underscored the significant role of Islamic centres in Qatar and Uzbekistan in promoting Islamic civilisation and fostering cultural cooperation between the two countries. Organised by the Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilisations in collaboration with the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was part of ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Islamic cultural heritage.
The symposium took place at the Diplomatic Institute and was attended by prominent figures including HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of the Qatar National Library, and Ashraf Khodjaev, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Qatar, alongside diplomats, officials, and heads of scientific and religious institutions.
In his opening remarks, Dr al-Kawari highlighted Qatar’s commitment to cultural diplomacy as a means of bridging cultures, emphasizing that culture and literature can achieve connections beyond what politics alone can accomplish. He described the Qatar National Library as more than a book repository, portraying it as a gateway fostering international ties, particularly through its rare collections encompassing contributions from Transoxiana’s scholars. He noted ongoing discussions with the head of Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilisation Centre to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as heritage preservation, digitisation, and research exchange, aiming to support a just and humane future.
Ambassador Khodjaev reaffirmed the strong strategic and cultural ties between Qatar and Uzbekistan, attributing their growing partnership to shared interests and mutual dedication. He underscored the role of high-level visits in advancing collaboration and reflected on Uzbekistan’s historical prominence in Islamic civilisation, citing renowned scholars like Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Tirmidhi, and Al-Khwarizmi. The ambassador stressed that safeguarding this heritage is crucial not only for preserving history but also for fostering future dialogue between civilisations and hoped the symposium would catalyse practical initiatives enhancing diplomatic and cultural links.
Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Sada, Secretary of the Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilisations, emphasized the importance of Islamic centres in Qatar as conduits for promoting the humanitarian and cultural values of Islam. He pointed to their engagement in educational activities, lectures, seminars, and exhibitions that illustrate Islam’s contributions to arts and literature. Al-Sada highlighted the role of these centres in encouraging intercultural dialogue and fostering mutual understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities, especially given Qatar’s multicultural society.
Representing Uzbekistan, Dr Firdavs Abdukhaliikov, Director of the Islamic Civilisation Centre, detailed the centre’s initiatives to preserve and study historical manuscripts and scientific heritage. He noted efforts to honour influential Muslim scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari, al Biruni, and Imam al-Tirmidhi, and described the centre’s work in creating exhibitions and employing modern technologies to present cultural history. Dr Abdukhaliikov also pointed to the importance of educational and scientific cooperation through scholarly exchanges and international cultural dialogue.
The symposium concluded with a panel discussion titled “Islamic Civilisation: The Great Spiritual Heritage of Uzbekistan and Qatar,” moderated by Dr Norwazad Abdurrahman al-Hiti of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Panelists included Dr Aisha Yousef al-Mannai from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed Mukhtar of the Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre, and Dr Ilhomjon Bekmirzaev, Vice-President of the Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan. The event highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to preserving and promoting the rich legacy of Islamic civilisation.