The Grand Imam: At its finest expression, the Islamic intellect holds Uzbekistan in the highest esteem and respect for the efforts of its scholars and their impact on Islamic civilization.

The head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan expresses her country's appreciation for the Grand Imam's efforts in promoting peace and preserving Islamic heritage.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar is invited to visit Uzbekistan and participate in the opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb received Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, member of the jury of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, to discuss strengthening scientific and dawah cooperation between the two parties.

The Grand Imam welcomed Mrs. Mirziyoyeva to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, sending his sincere greetings to the dear brother and friend, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, whose warm welcome the Grand Imam still remembers when he visited Uzbekistan in 2018 and 2020. 

He emphasized that the Islamic intellect, at its finest expression, holds this country – dear to every Muslim – in the highest esteem and respect, due to the profound impact left by its early scholars on Islamic thought and heritage, such as Imam Al-Maturidi, Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Zamakhshari, Al-Farabi, Al-Khwarizmi, and many others who emerged from this blessed land, whose influence reached the whole world. Their efforts were not limited to Islamic culture, but all of humanity benefited from them.

He also expressed his delight at seeing Muslim women like Ms. Saida holding the highest positions in the country, positions from which women have been denied due to the prevalence of pre-Islamic customs and traditions that have no basis in Islamic law. He further expressed his appreciation for Ms. Saida's efforts in defending human and women's rights, protecting children, promoting education and culture, and her initiatives in preserving Islamic heritage.

Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva expressed her great pride in the visit of the Grand Imam—the unique Islamic symbol, and her country’s appreciation for his tangible global efforts to spread the values of brotherhood and positive coexistence, preserve Islamic heritage, and confront extremist thought. She emphasized her pride in the honorary doctorate that the Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan awarded to His Eminence in 2018. She affirmed that she closely follows the Grand Imam’s speeches and writings. She also expressed her appreciation for His Eminence’s positions supporting the preservation of the status of women and the protection of their rights. In addition, she conveyed President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s greetings to the Grand Imam, wishes for His Eminence’s continued health and wellness, and prayers that Allah bless his efforts aimed at the unity and cohesion of the nation.

Ms. Saida affirmed her country’s desire to enhance cooperation and coordination with Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) through joint education initiatives, the exchange of researchers and students, and the implementation of joint scientific projects between Al-Azhar University and the Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan to verify the Islamic heritage and manuscripts, which number more than 100,000 manuscripts. She also expressed her aspiration to publish the scholarly legacy of Imam al-Maturidi, benefit from Al-Azhar’s academic expertise alongside Uzbekistan’s capabilities, and enhance coordination between Al-Azhar Observatory, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Committee on Religious Affairs to rehabilitate individuals affected by extremist ideologies and reintegrate them into society after ensuring the soundness of their beliefs.

The Grand Imam affirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to cooperate with Uzbekistan in implementing these valuable proposals, directing those in charge to form a joint committee to examine the proposals and begin implementing them as soon as possible.

At the end of the meeting, Mrs. Mirziyoyeva extended an official invitation to His Eminence to visit the country and participate in the opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization, which is the largest center for Islamic civilization in Central Asia. His Eminence welcomed this generous invitation, congratulating the Uzbek people on this important center, which is an extension of the honorable history of the scholars of Transoxiana in serving Islamic civilization.