On the International Online Press Conference “Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center: Future Plans” PRESS RELEASE

On December 17, 2020, an international online press conference was organized by the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center under the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan on the topic “Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center: Future Plans”.

In recent years, extensive work has been done in Uzbekistan to study the life and rich scientific heritage of great scholars who have made an invaluable contribution to the development of world science and to convey their scientific and spiritual legacy to the general public. In particular, establishing the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center on the basis of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to establish the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center” dated August 11, 2020 can be considered as an important component of ongoing religious and educational reforms. In this regard, it should be noted that the Center has a number of important tasks. For example:

• In-depth study of the great scientific, religious and spiritual heritage of Imam Maturidi and his followers who made an invaluable contribution to the development of Islamic theology and kalam and the preparation and publication of encyclopedias, catalogs, books and pamphlets on the basis of results obtained;
• Strengthening international cooperation in the field of Islamic sciences, in particular, the history of kalam and its current significance, collecting and transmitting to future generations the legacy of great scholars in our country and in foreign libraries and archives;
• To study the humanitarian nature, spiritual and cultural role and directions of development of Islam on a scientific basis, to convey to uzbek people and the international community the ideas of Islam calling for enlightenment, spiritual purity, peace, development and creativity on the basis of the idea ​​“Enlightenment against ignorance”.

Promoting the activities of the Center to the international community, establishing scientific cooperation with international research institutions, organizing exchange of experience between the leading scientists of the world and the researchers of the Center, introducing the life and scientific heritage of Imam Maturidi and the basics of Maturidiyya teachings to the world formed the main purpose of the conference.

The conference was attended by prominent local and foreign scientists, government and public figures, representatives of international organizations, the staff of the Center and others. In particular, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and also Rector of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan Rustam Kasimov, Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdugafur Akhmedov, Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan Mufti Usmankhan Alimov, President of Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey Ali Erbas, Sheikh of the Al-Azhar Complex Ahmad Tayyib, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Salim al-Malik, President of Ibn Khaldun University Dr. Rajab Shenturk, Secretary General of Al-Azhar Academy of Islamic Studies Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayyad attended with their congratulatory remarks. They noted that the studying the heritage of Imam Maturidi and promoting it to the international community is an honorable and responsible task and the efforts made by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in this regard deserve special recognition.

Alternatively, representatives of the scientific field as well as heads of research institutions of more than 40 from Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates Morocco and Jordan stressed the importance of the Center’s activities.

The participants of conference stressed the effectiveness of strengthening cooperation in fighting against ideological threats in the process of globalization. They also discussed future plans to exchange information and experience in this area and to organize measures to prevent the spread of destructive ideas under the guise of Islam.

During the conference, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center to establish cooperation.

At the same time, it was also mentioned that the Islamic world needs such a scientific center which promotes the scientific heritage of Imam Maturidi and Uzbekistan has extensive experience in this field.

Press service of the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center under the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.