Events for Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage Week have kicked off in London.

A delegation consisting of Firdaus Abdukhaliqov, the director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with several scholars and researchers, including Frédéric Bressan, the founder and president of the Timurid Society in France, visited the Islamic Heritage Foundation "Al-Furqan" in London.

During the meeting, the close collaboration between the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU) and the Islamic Heritage Foundation "Al-Furqan" was discussed.

— Today, in New Uzbekistan, thanks to the initiatives of our esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, significant attention is being paid to the preservation of cultural heritage. In this regard, cooperation with our British friends plays a crucial role. In particular, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, established on the President's initiative, is implementing several projects in collaboration with various British organizations and scholars, — noted Firdaus Abdukhaliqov, the director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. — In August of this year, the VIII International Congress took place in Tashkent and Samarkand, and in October, an International Week of Cultural Heritage was held, where more than ten British scholars participated with their projects. Currently, work is underway to enhance these projects. In this context, the projects realized in cooperation with Mr. Sali Shahsuvori, the director of the Islamic Heritage Foundation "Al-Furqan," hold particular significance. Today, we have come here with a group of scholars to advance this collaboration. Mr. Shahsuvori has proposed several interesting projects to us in Uzbekistan, one of which involves the study of the works of our great compatriot Kaffol al-Shoshi.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the collection of copies of this unique work, which holds special significance in the Islamic world, and the creation of its facsimiles are of exceptional importance. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the "Al-Furqan" foundation houses several other manuscripts related to our cultural heritage, and future plans include joint studies of these works. A memorandum of cooperation was also signed between the International Research Center of Imam Bukhari and the Islamic Heritage Foundation "Al-Furqan."

Throughout the meeting, books-albums titled "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan" and "Inscriptions on Monuments of Uzbekistan," as well as publications from the International Research Centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, and Imam Tirmidhi, along with commemorative gifts, were presented to Mr. Sali Shahsuvori, the director of the "Al-Furqan" foundation. In turn, Sali Shahsuvori expressed his readiness to continue cooperation in the future.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the largest and most prestigious auction houses in the world — Christie’s and Sotheby’s. These auction houses are leaders in the sale of artworks, antiques, jewelry, and other valuable collectible items.

This visit will represent an important step in promoting Uzbekistan's cultural heritage on the international stage, as well as strengthening scientific and cultural ties with the United Kingdom.