Delegation of the Mormon Church. Photo: cisc.uz
A delegation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the United States, led by senior church official Jack Gerard, has visited Uzbekistan’s Center for Islamic Civilization. The visit was reported on the Center’s official website.
During the tour, the guests familiarized themselves in detail with all sections of the Center’s museum, examining its exhibits and interactive projects. Members of the delegation showed particular interest in the scale model of the Imam Bukhari complex presented in the First Renaissance section of the exhibition. In the Second Renaissance section, they explored the Timurid era, paying special attention to the interactive panels. The visitors were also impressed by an audio presentation based on the image of Gawharshad Begim in the halls dedicated to Shah Rukh Mirza and Baysunghur Mirza. Other exhibits that attracted the delegation’s attention included the sword of the Kokand khan, a garment inscribed with verses from the Holy Quran from the Baburid period, and the costume of Bibi Khanum.
“Through this Center, we can understand that the origins of science and knowledge lie precisely on the territory of Uzbekistan. This is an amazing place. The Center has allowed us to learn a great deal about the history of this part of the world, particularly about Uzbekistan’s role in the wider region. It helps us realize that the roots of science and knowledge are here. Moreover, thanks to modern technologies, the material becomes clear and accessible for young people,” Jack Gerard said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a major restorationist Christian denomination founded by Joseph Smith in the first half of the 19th century. Its headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it has congregations and temples worldwide. According to the church’s official statistics, it has more than 17 million members globally, about 7 million of whom live in the United States. The church considers itself a restoration of early Christianity after the “Great Apostasy” and follows an open canon that, in addition to the Bible, includes the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
The Center for Islamic Civilization is being built in Tashkent near the Hast-Imam complex. Designed in the style of medieval architectural monuments, the building features four portals, each 34 meters high, and a central dome rising 65 meters. The complex includes a Hall of the Holy Quran, a 460-seat conference hall, and a museum whose exhibitions cover the entire history of Uzbekistan—from the pre-Islamic period to the present day. The Center is intended to serve as a platform for studying ancestral heritage and reinterpreting it in a contemporary context, in cooperation with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and research and educational centers around the world. The opening of the Center is scheduled for spring 2026.
