TASHKENT, July 7. /Dunyo IA/.   The 1^st International Forum of Islamic Civilization, themed “The Path of Peace, Tolerance and Enlightenment”, commenced today at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Forum, scheduled to take place from July 7^th to 11^th across Tashkent, Samarkand, and Termez, is organized by the Center of Islamic Civilization in collaboration with the Committee for Religious Affairs, Imam Maturidi, Imam Al-Bukhari, and Imam At-Tirmidhi International Research Centers, the Muslim Board, International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Approximately 300 foreign dignitaries from more than 50 nations are participating in the opening ceremony, including heads of international organizations, state and public figures, ministers, muftis, academics, prominent Islamic scholars, manuscript heritage specialists, as well as representatives from museums, libraries and the media.

Centerpiece of the opening ceremony was the delivery of the welcoming address by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to the forum participants, which was read by the Advisor to the President and Speechwriter Khayriddin Sultonov.

Forum’s proceedings are attended by the Director General of ICESCO, Salim AlMalik, the Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Mahmud Erol Kilic, Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev and President of the International Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, alongside representatives of international organizations, the scientific community, and the clergy from both Uzbekistan and foreign nations.\

Forum's comprehensive agenda encompasses four international conferences, ten plenary meetings, fifteen plenary sessions, and the deliberations of six thematic panels. The participants are focused on the history of Islamic civilization, Hadith studies, Kalam, manuscript heritage research, archaeology, museology, cultural heritage preservation, digitalization, cultural diplomacy and the spiritual and educational reforms currently being implemented in New Uzbekistan.

A special place in the program is dedicated to the presentations of new scholarly publications and joint projects prepared in cooperation with ICESCO, IRCICA, and other foreign partners. Concurrently, the signing of memorandums and agreements aimed at expanding international scientific and cultural cooperation is scheduled.

An essential component of the forum will be the international scientific conferences in Samarkand and Termez, dedicated to the legacy of Imam Al-Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam At-Tirmidhi. During these events, scholars will discuss issues of Hadith studies, Islamic thought, the examination of manuscript sources and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The 1^st International Forum of Islamic Civilization is expected to become one of the region's largest international scientific and educational platforms, contributing to the further strengthening of humanitarian cooperation, the promotion of the ideas of peace, enlightenment, and religious tolerance, as well as the popularization of the rich scientific and spiritual heritage of Islamic civilization.