Samarkand hosted inauguration of the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2025

On 26–27 May 2025, the TURKPA delegation led by Secretary General Mehmet Süreyya Er, participated in the international forum “Spiritual Heritage and Cultural Expressions of the Islamic World: Calligraphy, Music, Poetry, and Solidarity”, as well as in the events marking “Samarkand – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2025”. The events were jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The events took place in Samarkand, one of the ancient capitals of Turkic civilization, in the presence of numerous Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Culture from the Islamic world, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of relevant international and Turkic cooperation organizations, as well as other dignitaries. At the forum’s opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Governor (Hokim) of the Samarkand Region Adiz Boboev and the Director General of ICESCO Dr. Salim Al-Malik. Dr. Salim Al-Malik then solemnly presented the symbolic flag and the statuette of the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2025” to Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov and Hokim Adiz Boboev. The event continued with addresses by the heads of delegations. The Secretary General of TURKPA Mehmet Süreyya Er also delivered a speech. In his speech, Secretary General emphasized the contributions of the Turkic peoples to the intellectual and artistic heritage of the Islamic world, as well as the strong relationship between TURKPA and Uzbekistan, noting that cooperation with Uzbekistan is one the Assembly’s priorities. He expressed belief that the Parliament of Uzbekistan would become a full-fledged member of the Assembly in the near future. Throughout the events, the delegations became acquainted with the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of Samarkand. They also visited the city’s main historical landmarks, including the Ulugh Beg Observatory — one of the most advanced and accurate of its time — the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the Shah-i-Zinda complex, the Bibi-Khanym complex, Registan Square, and the Eternal City. The event concluded with a theatrical concert program that reflected the artistic spirit and cultural vibrancy of Samarkand and the broader Islamic world. Secretary General Mehmet Süreyya Er was accompanied by the Acting Secretary of the Commission on Education, Culture, Social and Humanitarian Affairs Aigerim Taalaibekova and staff member of the TURKPA Secretariat Emin Salmanov. Samarkand, often referred to as the “Rome of the East”, has for centuries been one of the most important centers of Turkic-Islamic civilization. The city stands out not only for its historical and cultural monuments but also for having served as the capital of several Turkic states throughout different periods in history.