The Embassy of the State of Israel in Uzbekistan and Samarkand State University signed an agreement providing a research grant to the University’s Department of History to support academic research on the history and heritage of the Jewish community of Samarkand.
The signing ceremony brought together ambassador, representatives of the Embassy of Israel and the leadership of Samarkand State University. The grant will enable historians and researchers of the Department of History to conduct comprehensive research into the historical development, cultural heritage and contribution of the Jewish community to the social, economic and cultural life of Samarkand, and connection to Israel.
The initiative reflects the shared commitment of the Embassy of Israel and Samarkand State University to promoting historical research, preserving cultural heritage and strengthening academic cooperation between Israel and Uzbekistan.
Samarkand has historically been an important center of Jewish life in Central Asia, with a Jewish presence dating back centuries. The Jewish community has played an important role in the city’s history and contributed to its rich multicultural and religious heritage.
The research supported by the grant is expected to contribute to a better understanding and documentation of the history of Samarkand’s Jewish community and to make this heritage more accessible to scholars, students and the wider public.
Speaking at the ceremony, the ambassador of Israel to Uzbekistan Gideon Lustig emphasized the importance of preserving the history and cultural heritage of Jewish communities in Uzbekistan and expressed appreciation for the work of Uzbek scholars in this field.
The rector of Samarkand State University Rustam Khalmuradov welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of further developing academic cooperation and conducting research based on historical sources and archival materials and strengthening cooperation between Israeli universities and scientific centers in various fields.
The signing of the agreement marks another step in strengthening educational and cultural ties between Israel and Uzbekistan and reflects the importance both sides attach to preserving and promoting the diverse historical heritage of the Uzbek people.
