The Seminar on Scholars of Islamic Civilization (2021) was held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on 8th & 9th April 2021 that jointly organized by the Institute of Islam Hadhari (UKM), the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Malaysia.

The seminar highlighted the significant contribution of early Muslim Scholars in Uzbekistan or the wider area known as Transoxiana to humankind civilization. Topics covered include Islamic civilization, such as theology, hadith, Islamic law, Sufism, history, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, science, and medicine.

It is a premier forum for academicians, scholars and students to interact and disseminate knowledge of history and Islamic civilization for the appreciation of the young generation in Uzbekistan and Malaysia.

This seminar is a continuous engagement between UKM and Uzbekistan’s institutions. Over 12 years, the Republic of Uzbekistan and UKM have enjoyed a long-standing friendship with each other. In 2018, UKM signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with The “ISTEDOD” Foundation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 30 March 2018.

Recently, on 10th March 2021,  MoU between Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the Centre of Islamic Civilization, Uzbekistan has been solidified to further mutual cooperation and strengthen international ties between Malaysia and the Republic of Uzbekistan by organising the abovementioned seminar.

The objective of the seminar is to exchange ideas and research findings on the contribution of Muslim scholars in Uzbekistan in Islamic civilization. Apart from that, it is to disseminate the knowledge of history and Islamic civilization for the appreciation of the young generation in Uzbekistan and Malaysia. Next, it is to strengthen academic collaboration between the institutions in both countries and others.

The keynote speeches were presented by two leading scholars who are the directors of both institutions.  Prof. Dr. Fariza Md Sham, Director, Institute of Islam Hadhari, UKM presented a speech entitled ‘Contribution of Ibn Sina in Islamic Psychology’. A pioneer in the field of psychology, Ibn Sina wrote many books that have become the standard reference for western scholars, both then and today.

 Second Keynote speech presented by Mr. Shaazim Minovarov, Director, Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan entitled ‘From Rich History towards Great Future’. He presented the establishment of his led centre for scientific research and an Islamic civilization museum which is expected to open in autumn 2022.

There are a total of 33 presenters from 6 countries namely Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Kirgizia, who shared their insights on the greatest Muslim brains and scholars in historical Uzbekistan such as Ibn Sina, al-Biruni, al-Khawarizmi, al-Nasafi, al-Bukhari, al-Tirmizi, Ulugh Begh, al-Maturidi, al-Farabi, al-Samarkandi, to name a few.

Also been shared the background of the society, the historical context, culture and religion that shape and influence the outstanding development of knowledge and scholars in that region.

Here are some of the names of presenters from various countries:

• Prof. Akhmedov Begijan Makhmudovich is a Head of the Kyrgyz Branch of the International Babur Foundation, Kirgizia presented about The Contribution of Scholars Sirajiddin al-Oshiy and Imam Al-Sarahsiy to Islamic Science and Culture.
• Prof. Dr. Sonmez Kutlu - Department of History of Islamic Sects in Theology Faculty of Ankara University, Turkey entitled The Legacy of Imam Maturidi
• Dr. Agil Shirinov - Rector of The Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, Azerbaijan entitled The Contribution of Central Asia to Islamic Philosophy; The School of Marw
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aulin Alexander Anatolyevich - President of the Ukrainian Center for Islamic Studies, Ukraine entitled Ibn Sina and his Role in World Philosophy
• Prof. Dr. Zahid Islamov - Vice-Rector of International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan entitled Mahmud Zamakhshari and his Scientific Heritage
• Dr. Maxsudov Davron - Director of Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, Uzbekistan entitled Imam Maturidi and the Development of Kalam (Qur’an Science) 
• Dr. Kamarova Ruziya Islamovna - Director of the Department of Religious Studies, Institute for Analysis of Religious Situation and Religious Expertise at the NCJSC N.Nazarbayev Center of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue, Uzbekistan
• Prof. Dr. Turaev Bakhtiyor - Chief Consultant of the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, Uzbekistan entitled Al-Khwarizmi and Al-Beruni are the Thinkers who laid the Basis of Modern Civilization.
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gulchakhra Tulemetova - Head of the Scientific Research Department of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan - title Argumentation Theory in the Context of Kalam in Transoxiana
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktoria Olegovna Levinskaya - International TEAM University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan entitled Ibn Sina and his Role in World Philosophy

As one of five research universities in Malaysia and among the top 150 best universities in recent QS World University Rankings 2020/2021, UKM always welcomes an opportunity to develop a strategic alliance through the joint seminar, research and international publications.  

As a way forward, this seminar should not become a platform for romanticizing Islamic history's golden age, but instead, should spread their teachings to the young generation in order to inspire them to follow in their footsteps of scholarship.