Uzbekistan opens world's largest museum of Islamic civilization
Uzbekistan has opened a landmark cultural complex that holds the Guinness record for the world's largest Islamic civilization museum, signalling a major soft-power push to position the Central Asian nation as a global hub for heritage tourism and diplomatic dialogue.
The Center for Islamic Civilization opened to the public on March 17, 2026, following a nine-year development spearheaded by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Spanning more than ten hectares, the complex combines Timurid architectural traditions with modern engineering and multimedia technology. It functions simultaneously as a museum, a research institute, and a library holding over 2,500 manuscripts and roughly 40,000 printed publications.
For the global tourism market, the opening represents a significant new draw in Central Asia. The complex has already secured the Guinness World Record for the largest museum of Islamic civilization and won the "Best Islamic Heritage Site of the Year" at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2026. It was also named among the world’s most beautiful museums by Prix Versailles and highlighted by Smithsonian Magazine.
Beyond tourism, the centre underscores Uzbekistan's growing integration into international cultural networks, particularly through the recovery of stolen artifacts. More than 2,000 rare items are on display, including pieces repatriated through a joint effort involving the OSCE, the Art Loss Register, and London’s Metropolitan Police Service. "Today's handover is the result of extensive collaboration with partners both in the UK and around the world," said Carrie Wood, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Economic Crime Unit.
The institution also serves as a vehicle for Uzbekistan's broader diplomatic strategy. In July, it hosted the First International Forum “Islamic Civilization: The Path of Peace, Tolerance and Enlightenment,” drawing about 500 representatives from 50 countries. The gathering concluded with a declaration affirming the role of education and culture in countering extremism and Islamophobia.
International leaders have validated the project's geopolitical weight. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Mr Mirziyoyev for promoting "dialogue, enlightenment and mutual respect," while Finnish President Alexander Stubb noted the "unforgettable impression" of seeing 3,000 years of history presented in a modern format. "This meaningful and creative initiative is of great historical importance not only for Uzbekistan, but also for the entire Islamic world and the common future of mankind," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in a message to the forum.
At the core of the complex sits the Holy Quran Hall, housed beneath a 65-meter dome and featuring the revered Mushaf of Uthman. As nations across the Middle East and Asia compete for cultural tourism and diplomatic influence, the scale of Uzbekistan’s financial commitment has caught the attention of international institutions. "To invest so much effort in nine years – in terms of the time and money that has been spent – is a truly worthy investment on a global scale," said Louis Ng, Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
