The new Center for Islamic Civilization (CISC) is scheduled to open its doors to the public in March 2026. This visionary institution is set to emerge as a new cultural touchstone for the city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Architect Abdukakhkhor Turdiev was responsible for the design of this multi-million-dollar sports facility. It will serve not only as a museum but as an academic research hub. The CISC is designed to celebrate and revive Uzbekistan’s rich historical role as a hub of Islamic scholarship, showcasing the nation’s cultural heritage while engaging with the lives and ideas of influential figures throughout history.
Insights from the CISC’s successful work to date have gone a long way in reclaiming cultural artifacts. So far, it has successfully recovered 2,000 items with the work still continuing to reclaim more pieces of Uzbekistan’s rich historical narrative. The center’s exhibitions will tell that story with incredible artifacts. Among them, the 7th-century Quran of Uthman (Quran Uthman 01), one of the oldest intact copies known to man.
Architectural Splendor
The CISC’s architecture pays homage to the classical Islamic architectural traditions of Central Asia, especially that of the Timurid period. Visitors will be greeted by beautiful large arched doorways covered in colorful mosaics. Along the way, they will relish in blue-tiled domes and elaborate ornamentation that exhibits the region’s vibrant artistic heritage.
“This region has been home to many ancestors who influenced world civilization,” – Firdavs Abdukhalikov.
From a design perspective, the CISC is a colossal building. It’s four times the height of the Hollywood sign and about seven times as big as the White House. The building is important as a physical space, but more importantly it has acted as a cultural lighthouse for the nation and the world.
A Hub for Learning and Research
Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of the CISC is its dedication to academic scholarship. The second floor of the facility will include a library packed with more than 200,000 books. This repository will be an incredibly important resource for early-career scholars and students alike. This intense focus on the educational component is meant to support deep, transformational research and cultural engagement in the long term.
“It’s not just a museum — it’s a cultural and educational platform. Here, we don’t only engage with artifacts, but also with the lives and ideas of influential figures,” – Abdukhalikov.
The CISC convened 1,500 experts from over 40 countries. They worked together over eight years to improve formal, programmatic, and experiential qualities. This unusual joint trip makes clear that the center’s mission will be as much about inspiring Uzbekistan’s future as it is about preserving the country’s past.
Cultural Engagement and Innovation
Through the CISC and its new aspirational model, the institution hopes to rethink what it means to be a cultural institution. Instead of just showing off artifacts, it tries to connect powerful stories with today’s audiences. The center’s leadership stresses innovation and creativity to be the core of its mission.
“We have to inspire them and tell the story of our great history through innovation and creativity,” – Abdukhalikov.
Firdavs Abdukhalikov highlighted the significance of presenting Uzbekistan’s contributions to science and the arts:
“(Uzbekistan’s) contribution in science and arts is obvious, and now people are rediscovering it, although it had not received sufficient attention,” – Farhan Ahmad Nizami.
Through artifact preservation, the CISC protects the stories of the past. It aims to produce an entertaining overall experience that enables guests to meet the visionaries who built Islamic civilization. The center’s vision is not just about displaying these objects but hoping to cultivate a place for conversation and examination.
“The big question was how to present their influence to the world, to younger generations, in an engaging and modern way,” – Firdavs Abdukhalikov.
