The International Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) declared Tashkent one of the four capitals of Islamic culture in 2007. Scientific-practical seminar \"Tashkent ? the capital of Islamic culture in 2007\" was held in the Tashkent Islamic University late last week and dedicated to this noble issue, the Narodnoye Slovo newspaper reported on January 13, 2007.

The professors and other teaching faculty of the university, scholars at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, representatives of the Committee o?n religious affairs of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Department of Muslims of Uzbekistan and journalists attended the meeting, the report said.

The participants underscored that the fact that Tashkent has been declared o?ne of the capitals of Islamic culture was of profound historical, cultural and political significance. They also agreed that the capital of Uzbekistan has truly deserved to receive such title.

Tashkent is an ancient city, which has always been playing an important role in the history of the entire region. While as a center for the world religions in various times Tashkent has had and continues to have a special significance in the history of Islamic civilization.

Reportedly more than 2,000 mosques and more than 10 higher, secondary and specialized schools and Tashkent Islamic University are operating in Uzbekistan at the time. Leading schools of this sphere - the Tashkent Islamic University and the Tashkent Islamic Institute are located in the Uzbek capital.

The unique collection of oriental manuscripts of the Institute of Oriental Studies and many other Islamic relics, which are included into the UNESCO\'s \"Word Significance Monuments\" are also preserved in Tashkent, the report also said.