The Centre of Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest museum dedicated to Islamic civilisation.
The recognition was confirmed following a detailed verification process attended by adjudicator Şeyda Subaşı Gemici, alongside architects, designers and members of the scientific council.
“As an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, I can state that every corner of the museum and every exhibit possesses its own uniqueness and cultural value,” Gemici said, adding that the project met all required standards and left a strong impression due to its scale and depth.
The centre was initiated in 2017 under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and completed in March 2026. It was conceived as a large-scale scientific, educational and cultural platform, combining historical heritage with modern technologies to showcase the contributions of Islamic civilisation.
Chief architect Abdukakhor Turdiev said the design reflects Uzbekistan’s rich cultural legacy while positioning the country as an active participant in global cultural dialogue. The project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Uzbekistan’s international image through major cultural initiatives.
According to officials, the centre has already become one of the region’s most visited cultural sites, attracting up to 5,000 visitors daily, including both local and international guests.
Built within the historic Hazrati Imam complex, the centre spans an area of 10 hectares. The three-storey building measures 161 metres in length and 118 metres in width, with a dome rising to 65 metres. Its total usable area exceeds 42,000 square metres.
The structure features four main portals, allowing access from all sides, with façades decorated with Qur’anic verses and hadiths reflecting values of enlightenment, tolerance and respect. Inside, the complex includes exhibition halls, a 550-seat conference hall, restoration laboratories, storage facilities for rare manuscripts, and a modern library housing more than 45,000 publications alongside extensive digital resources.
At the heart of the centre is the Qur’an Hall, which features more than 100 rare Qur’an manuscripts, including the famous Uthman Qur’an listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The collection spans multiple historical periods, from the Samanid and Timurid eras to later Islamic dynasties.
Among the most notable exhibits are a rare 16th-century “Bozuband” Qur’an manuscript, a Seljuk-era manuscript with Persian translation, and artefacts acquired from international auctions, including historical jewellery, ceramics and items linked to the Amu Darya Treasure.
In total, the centre houses more than 2,000 historical sources and a vast collection of artefacts reflecting centuries of scientific, artistic and cultural development across the Islamic world.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Ministe...
At least 20 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, ...
The United Nations has urged sustained international engagement with Afghanistan five years into Taliban rule, warning that restrictions on women a...
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
The United Nations has urged sustained international engagement with Afghanistan five years into Taliban rule, warning that restrictions on women and terrorism concerns risk undermining gains from improved security.
Iran says the U.S. war and military presence in the region have worsened marine pollution around the Strait of Hormuz, calling for environmental protection to form part of future arrangements governing the strategic waterway.
Georgia could gain a direct electricity link to Europe under plans for a new overland energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria, potentially reshaping regional power flows.
Türkiye has unveiled plans for joint military exercises and defence production with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under a new security pact that includes a collective defence clause.
Uzbekistan will allow eligible businesses to operate for up to three months without a licence or permit under a new regime aimed at cutting barriers to market entry and attracting investment.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment