Tashkent, August 25 (QNA) - The International Media Forum "Islamic Civilization: A New Perspective - New Discoveries" kicked off in Tashkent, Uzbekistan,Tuesday, bringing together nearly 300 media representatives and experts from 50 countries.

Convening until Aug. 28, the forum is set to discuss the role of the media in promoting Islamic civilization, preserving its heritage for future generations, and conveying it accurately and faithfully to non-Muslim peoples.

Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, said that historical studies of Islamic civilization are no longer sufficient, and that delivering this heritage through modern means has become necessary.

He called for restoring national memory, studying heritage with awareness and responsibility, conveying the values of Islam to the world, and confronting some forces that intend to distort the religion.

Dr. Abdukhalikov further called for exploring a clear and continuous policy to correct misconceptions and false perceptions about Islam, stressing that the center strives to spread the message of Islam and project it in collaboration with all relevant entities.

The first day featured several sessions with the participation of experts, chiefly the general session on "The Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan: A New Stronghold for a Great Heritage" and the second session on "Prominent Historical Figures: New Media Formats for Introducing Islamic Heritage".

The sessions exchanged views on international experiences in using documentaries, digital platforms and strategic communication to present civilizational and cultural heritage and reach global audiences, as well as introduce new generations to the contributions of scholars of Islamic civilization.

The forum took stock of media and cinematic experiences in presenting the history of science and Islamic civilization, including the "1001 Inventions" initiative and the "Whispers of Wisdom" project, which has achieved more than two billion views.

During the session, the launch of its second season was also announced, focusing on the biographies of scholars and philosophers through a cinematic approach.

The sessions further examined Uzbekistan's experience in projecting its image globally by focusing on human stories, images and figures that resonate with audiences, while drawing on the legacy of the Silk Road and the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, as well as the contributions of scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina and Ulugh Beg.

They also discussed the use of television, digital platforms, social media and podcasts.

The sessions also explored Mali's experience in showcasing the heritage of Timbuktu and the role of journalists in conveying cultural transformations, alongside projects that use AI to create digital representations of scholars and present their achievements interactively to new generations. (QNA)