The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has included the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan in its list of the six most anticipated museum openings of 2026.
The opening of this grand museum complex in Tashkent is scheduled for March.
According to the BBC, the Center’s building itself is a stunner, topped with a monumental turquoise mosaic dome dominating the city’s skyline. Located in the heart of the capital city, the museum centers on Qur’an Hall, which is expected to display the famed 7th-century Qur’an of Uthman, one of the oldest examples of the ancient text in existence. The center’s collection also includes more than 2,000 manuscripts and historical items, many returned to the country in recent years after they were purchased at auction houses and sales. An education area will include VR- and AI-enhanced exhibits highlighting Uzbekistan’s history from the pre-Islamic period to the present. Other parts of the center include a 200,000-volume library, the country’s first dedicated children’s museum, crafts workshops and a restoration laboratory.
The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan has also been included in the list of the world’s most beautiful museums of 2026 according to the prestigious international architectural award Prix Versailles.
This ranking is formed based on strict criteria such as innovation, creative approach, reflection of national heritage, and environmental efficiency.
Prix Versailles is considered one of the world’s most prestigious awards, annually recognizing the most advanced projects shaping contemporary architectural, cultural, and aesthetic environments. The inclusion of the Islamic Civilization Center in this list signifies international recognition of its concept, symbolic meaning, and contribution to the development of the Eurasian humanitarian space.
“Inclusion in the Prix Versailles global list further strengthens the Center’s status as an architectural dominant of the region and a symbol of Uzbekistan’s modern cultural renaissance,” said Center Director Firdavs Abdukhalikov.
Photo: iccu.uz
