LONDON, March 4. /Dunyo IA/. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has announced its list of the six most anticipated museum openings of 2026, which includes the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

It is noted that the opening of these cultural centers around the world in 2026 could transform the appearance of the cities where they are located, highlighted that this major cultural and educational complex in Tashkent aims to showcase Uzbekistan’s rich historical and spiritual heritage as a key center of Islamic science and culture along the Silk Road.

The BBC report says: “The building itself is breathtaking. A monumental turquoise-tiled dome dominates the cityscape. Located in the heart of Uzbekistan’s capital, the center is built around the Quran Hall, where the Uthman Quran (7th century) will be displayed – one of the oldest surviving copies of the sacred text, listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.”

It is noted that the museum complex’s collection also includes over two thousand manuscripts and historical artefacts, many of which have been returned to the country in recent years. The center will also feature an educational zone with exhibits using virtual and artificial intelligence, highlighting Uzbekistan’s history from the pre-Islamic era to the present day.

In one section of this zone, visitors will be able to interact with historians and experts through so-called “living portraits.” Other parts of the center include a library housing 200,000 volumes, the country’s first dedicated children’s museum, craft workshops, and a restoration laboratory.

The publication notes that Frederick Starr, author of “Lost Enlightenment: The Golden Age of Central Asia”, called the complex a hub for both tourists and scholars, offering a glimpse into “the flourishing of intellectual and artistic activity that emerged in the region a thousand years ago.”