President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Russian billionaire of Uzbek origin Alisher Usmanov for his financial and other support in the creation of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent.
“Special thanks go to domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, figures of culture and sports who provided sponsorship for the construction of such a grand сооружение. In particular, I sincerely appreciate our esteemed compatriot, well-known philanthropist and businessman Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov for being among the first to take the initiative and for providing the necessary funds, ideas, and unique historical exhibits,” Mirziyoyev said at the opening ceremony of the center on March 17, 2026.
“Our people highly value nobility and generosity of spirit. We will never forget your contribution to such a great cause. Thank you very much!” he added.
The Center of Islamic Civilization was built on the territory of the Hazrati Imam complex on an area of 10 hectares. The building consists of three floors; its length is 161 meters and its width is 118 meters. The height of its dome reaches 65 meters, and the total usable area exceeds 42,000 square meters. Construction lasted eight years.
The center currently houses the famous Uthman Quran, which was previously kept at the Muyi Muborak madrasah. The Uthman Quran is one of the six oldest Qurans in the world.