Uzbek President's IAMM Visit Set To Bolster Preservation Of Islamic Culture

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) tomorrow is expected to further strengthen efforts to preserve Islamic culture in the country.

IAMM Director’s Office senior manager Rashidah Salim said Islamic arts are one of Malaysia’s strengths, and various Islamic institutions in the country are prepared to share their expertise with Uzbekistan, including in the conservation of artifacts.

“This visit (tomorrow) is quite special. Previously, we have travelled to Uzbekistan to establish professional ties, where we offered our expertise to the Center for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan in 2023.

“Apart from the museum, several other institutions such as the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) and universities in the country will contribute their expertise in organising interactive exhibitions as well as artifact conservation,” she said when met by Bernama today.

Rashidah said during the visit tomorrow, Mirziyoyev will be presented with an exhibition of various Islamic manuscripts.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement earlier said Mirziyoyev will be in Malaysia for an official visit from Feb 4 to 5, marking his first visit to the country since assuming office in December 2016.

Mirziyoyev will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra Building, Putrajaya, on Wednesday (Feb 5), followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In 2024, Malaysia’s trade volume with Uzbekistan declined 13.2 per cent to RM369.8 million (US$80.9 million) compared to RM426.1 million (US$94 million) in 2023. The balance of trade was in Malaysia’s favour, amounting to RM360.3 million (US$78.9 million).

The same year, Uzbekistan remained Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner among Central Asian countries after Kazakhstan.

-- BERNAMA