The high-ranking guest was accompanied by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Center Director Firdavs Abdukholikov during the visit.
Established on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, this Center is considered a major historical and educational complex aimed at preserving, studying, and conveying the invaluable scientific and spiritual heritage of Islamic civilization to the world community.
During the visit, Santiago Peña entered the Quran hall and became closely acquainted with the Uthman Mus'haf – one of the oldest copies of the Quran, which holds immense importance in the Muslim world. Detailed information was provided about this rare manuscript and its place in Islamic history and the world's scientific and philosophical development.
Members of the Paraguayan President's delegation familiarized themselves with the Center's expositions: "Civilizations Before Islam," "The First Renaissance," "The Second Renaissance," and "New Uzbekistan – The Foundation of a New Renaissance." The guests were greatly impressed by the information about the incomparable contributions to world science made by great scholars such as Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Abu Mansur Moturidi, and Bahauddin Naqshband. Rare manuscripts, artifacts, and sources from the Samanid, Karakhanid, Khorezmshah, and Timurid eras were also displayed.
During the visit, the head of state reviewed the 14 vaults, historical artifacts, and paintings at the Center, giving high praise to the rich spiritual and scientific heritage reflected in them. In particular, the expositions related to the scientific legacy of scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Biruni, Ibn Sina, Termizi, and Bukhari made a great impression on President Peña.
President Santiago Peña said:
"The history of Uzbekistan is truly incomparable. It is a great civilization encompassing five thousand years of development. To understand a nation, one must know its history, and here the history is very rich. Many scientific and cultural achievements that have made a huge contribution to human civilization originated from this very land. Uzbekistan's greatest wealth is its historical heritage, scientific achievements, and cultural civilization. For example, many do not know that the first complete scientific foundations in fields like algebra or medicine came from this land. I am very inspired by this visit. Paraguay is ready for promising future cooperation with Uzbekistan."
The delegation also familiarized itself with expositions on the pre-Islamic periods. Information about 80,000-year-old stone spears and the ancient civilizations of Bactria, Sogdiana, and Khorezm aroused great interest among the guests. Artifacts from the Zoroastrian period, ancient manuscripts, and immersive show presentations were highly praised. Afterwards, the delegation reviewed the "Congress Hall" complex and the visit continued with expositions in the "Second Renaissance" section. The guests viewed the history of the Amir Timur era, chess pieces from that period, and ancient Quran manuscripts. President Santiago Peña especially emphasized that the establishment of the Islamic Civilization Center is a practical result of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's initiatives, and he highly appraised the work being carried out in our country to preserve, study, and promote historical heritage.
