The Tantanali ceremony took place at the building of the National Academy of Medicine in Paris, France, where leading scientists, medical historians, orientalists, specialists in Islamic heritage, and representatives of European cultural institutions gathered. During the official meeting, it was announced that a commemorative statuette of the great Avicenna and a prize diploma would be presented to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.
As the French scientific community specifically noted, the activity of the Center, established on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev, became an exemplary model of a modern approach to studying the legacy of Ibn Sina, one of the greatest scholars in human history. By its decision, the Academy emphasized that Uzbekistan today not only cares for its own cultural and scientific past but also makes a significant contribution to the world's humanities, promoting new large-scale projects, research standards, restoration, cataloging, and the promotion of the Islamic intellectual heritage.
The Academy's specialists highly assessed the scope of work being carried out: the Center has restored Avicenna's rarest manuscript works, is creating the largest specialized archives and electronic catalogs, is implementing international scientific projects to digitize the manuscripts of the "Canon of Medicine," is developing directions for the restoration of scientific works on medicine, and is organizing international conferences at the Center dedicated to the contribution of great Central Asian scholars to world sciences. According to French scholars, the exposition created at the Center is bringing the study and research of Avicenna's legacy to a new stage, turning Uzbekistan into a leading platform in this field.
Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization and Chairman of the World Society for the Preservation, Study, and Promotion of Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage, upon accepting the award, said the following:
"This award serves as another vivid confirmation of the international recognition of the extensive activities of our esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Our President acted as the initiator of the creation of the Center of Islamic Civilization — this is a unique authorial scientific-cultural mega-project aimed at widely promoting to the world the true intellectual heritage of the great thinkers of the East.
The Prix Avicenne is a high respect and worthy assessment of the work of hundreds of national and foreign scholars, researchers, translators, and experts shaping the scientific and educational content of the center. This award also symbolically expresses the deep respect of the world community for the historical role of Central Asia in the development of global scientific thought.
We will continue to expand international research, strengthen scientific ties, and continue work dedicated to the legacy of Avicenna and all the great thinkers of our homeland."
The Prix Avicenne award, established by France's leading scientific organizations, is given for significant achievements in the humanities and natural sciences, as well as for contributions to the preservation and promotion of historical and scientific heritage.
