A meeting took place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, and Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League. The visit and meeting were held at the invitation of the Muslim World League. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia, Nodir Turgunov, also participated.

During the friendly and sincere exchange, the Director of the Center provided detailed information about the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, currently being established under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He outlined the ongoing activities, scientific programs, and organizational work being carried out as part of the Center’s mission.

“Uzbekistan holds a rich legacy in Islamic scholarship, jurisprudence, and hadith sciences,” noted the Secretary General. “This land has produced renowned scholars, great jurists, hadith experts, thinkers, and art historians. The Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan plays a significant role in highlighting the importance and relevance of this heritage within the Islamic world. Thanks to the efforts of this country’s distinguished scholars, the true essence of Islamic civilization — particularly the values of humanism and tolerance — has been preserved to this day. This large-scale initiative is of great importance in presenting this heritage to the global community. On behalf of the Muslim World League, we fully support these efforts. The President of Uzbekistan’s commitment to culture and enlightenment serves as a model for all Muslim countries. We are deeply honored to cooperate with the Center,” emphasized Sheikh Al-Issa.

During the meeting, Sheikh Al-Issa expressed strong interest in the reforms taking place in Uzbekistan, especially the events and upcoming forums organized by the Center. He praised the ongoing efforts, commended their significance, and emphasized the importance of the Center’s upcoming official opening ceremony.

At this point, Sheikh Al-Issa quoted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speech at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly:

“We consider it our highest priority to convey the truly humanistic essence of Islam to the international community. We deeply value our sacred religion as an expression of our eternal values. Islam calls on us to uphold goodness and peace, and to preserve genuine human virtues. The activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization contribute to the implementation of this task.” Sheikh Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa reaffirmed that the Muslim World League fully supports this major initiative, which was put forward by the President from the UN platform.

The head of the Center noted that, at the initiative of the Uzbek President, an Arab-Islamic Calligraphy School is being launched within the Center. Sheikh Al-Issa expressed full support for the project and proposed:

“As part of the New Uzbekistan initiative, it would be meaningful to hand-copy each surah of the Qur’an in traditional Arabic script, enriched with decorative elements,” he said. “We are ready to cooperate fully in launching the Arab-Islamic Calligraphy School in Uzbekistan — attracting world-renowned calligraphers with extensive experience to this center, incentivizing calligraphers for effective work, and supporting the development of the school’s overall activities.”

During their visit, the delegation toured several cultural and religious sites in Mecca and Medina, including the Hira Cultural District, the Revelation Museum, the Clock Tower Museum at the Burj al-Sa’ah, the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Kaaba, the “Bustan” Museum, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Biography and Islamic Civilization Museum, and the Museum and Library of Islamic Art in Jeddah. The visits included discussions on potential areas of cooperation.

While visiting the museums and libraries, delegation members also discussed the possibility of transferring video materials depicting the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

The meeting also addressed the creation of comfortable conditions for visitors to the newly constructed Imam Bukhari Complex in Samarkand, another initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. Discussions were held with Shakir Salah al-Adwani, Head of Events and Conferences at the Muslim World League, on how to draw from Saudi Arabia’s experience in this area. During the discussion, a representative of the League noted that "Elm," one of Saudi Arabia’s leading institutions, would provide support for the initiative. It was agreed that further discussions would continue via videoconference.