During the period from March 3-5, 2020, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb visited Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to participate in the academic conference titled, “Imam Abu Mansour Al-Maturidi and the Maturidi Teachings: History and Current Reality”. The conference engaged analysis of Abu Mansour Al-Maturidi’s biography and writings, and his views and ideas related to the morphing of the discipline of theology during his time. It also addressed the development of the Maturidi teachings posthumously, the biography and intellectual heritage of his disciples, and the importance of the legacy of Imam Al-Maturidi and his disciples in solving pressing issues of the current era.

The Uzbek President presented as a gift to the Grand Imam a true copy of jurist Burhanuddin Al- Mirghanani’s manuscript Al-Hidayah, a rare manuscript at the Resources Treasury of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan. The volume was handed over to the Grand Imam by Dr. Rustam Kasimov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan.

On the sidelines of his visit to the Imam Al-Bukhari International Academic Research Center in Samarkand, he visited the tomb of Imam Al-Bukhari (may Allah rest his soul in peace). He also visited the Higher Institute of Hadith and its Disciplines in Samarkand and met the students of Arabic language disciplines there at the hands of Al-Azhar professors.

The Grand Imam was also awarded “honorary citizenship of Samarkand”.