The State of Qatar participated in the International Conference on 'Islamic Cultural Heritage in Uzbekistan and Its Role in Global Science', held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from Sept. 7-9, with the aim of developing Oriental and cultural studies through scientific and cultural interaction and promoting dialogue between civilizations and cultures.
The State of Qatar's delegation was headed by HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi.
The opening of the conference was attended by HE Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Kongratbay Sharipov; HE First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aloyev Bakhromjon Juraboyevich; and HE Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Religious and Enlightenment Affairs Muzaffar Kamilov. Professors, experts and researchers from Qatar, Turkiye, Italy, Jordan, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco are participating in the conference.
In his address to the conference, HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the conference comes within the framework of the Cultural Diplomacy Program, which was emphasized by the State of Qatar’s plan for the Alliance of Civilizations 2023-2027, noting that the program aims to introduce the Islamic cities that have played an active role in the development of science and culture on a global level.
His Excellency added that organizing this conference is a result of the scientific cooperation and effective partnership between the Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations, Qatar University, and Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, to introduce the scientific legacy left by Uzbek scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Biruni, Ibn Sina, Imam Al-Bukhari, and others, and its impact on the development of global natural and human sciences in mathematics, engineering, algebra, earth sciences, chemistry, medicine, philosophy, and Islamic studies, in addition to reflecting the cultural and civilizational impact of the Uzbek legacy and its role in building contemporary human common ground.
His Excellency expressed belief that holding such events demonstrates the important role of cultural diplomacy, which seeks dialogue and cooperation between civilizations, rapprochement between peoples, and strengthening the shared cultural heritage that unites Islamic peoples, supports cultural projects within them, and provides new opportunities to enhance cooperation between countries in various fields, especially between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
HE the Secretary-General pointed out that recent years have witnessed a great cultural movement between the two countries, embodied in the organization of the Uzbek Culture Week in Doha in February 2024 and the Qatari Cultural Week in Tashkent in October 2024, in addition to the broad Qatari participation in the opening of the Islamic Civilization Center in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is one of the most prominent cultural and scientific projects in Asia aimed at highlighting the contributions of Islamic civilization and the scholars of the region to the progress of humanity, preserving manuscript heritage and promoting scientific research and civilizational dialogue.
Concluding his speech, His Excellency expressed hope that the conference would produce scientific proposals and recommendations that would contribute to highlighting the Uzbek Islamic cultural heritage and its role in scientific paths in the contemporary world.