Monday, 25 May 2026
Uzbekistan and Egypt honor Sultan Qutuz at Cairo symposium
In a spirit of friendship and cultural exchange, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Cairo joined forces with Egypt’s Misr Public Library to host a special symposium titled “New Pages from the History of Saif al-Din Qutuz.”
The event brought together diplomats, historians, and scholars from both nations to reflect on their deeply connected past and explore new avenues for collaboration.
The symposium was graced by H.E. Mansurbek Kilichev, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, and Ambassador Reda El-Tayebi, Director of the Misr Public Library Fund, alongside a distinguished group of academics. The gathering was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Abdoh Tarabeik, an Egyptian expert on Central Asian affairs.
In his opening address, Ambassador Kilichev emphasized the importance of the symposium as an opportunity to both honor Sultan Qutuz and shed light on the strong historical ties that unite Uzbekistan and Egypt.
“We are not only revisiting the shining pages of our shared history, but also deepening our understanding of the cultural and civilizational bonds between our peoples,” he remarked.
Sultan Qutuz, a pivotal leader in Islamic history, was born in the medieval Khwarazmian state, located in today’s modern Uzbekistan. Despite being taken from his homeland at a young age, he rose to become Sultan of Egypt and the Levant, leading Muslim forces to a decisive victory over the Mongols at the famed Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260.
This triumph halted the Mongol advance into the Middle East and safeguarded Egypt, the Levant, and large swathes of the Islamic world. “His life is a testament to the enduring ties between Central Asia and the Middle East, and the spiritual, intellectual, and political links our nations share,” Ambassador Kilichev added.
The Ambassador highlighted how Qutuz’s legacy symbolizes the centuries-old relationship between Uzbekistan and Egypt.
“From the era of the Khwarazmians and Mamluks, through to Al-Azhar and the Naqshbandi order, our fates have been intertwined by mutual respect and the exchange of knowledge and values.” He voiced hope that programs like this symposium can continue to build cultural bridges and promote better understanding in today’s world.
The program also featured a special lecture by Dr. Bekzod Abdrimov, deputy mayor of Urgench district in Khorezm province, who expressed his excitement at visiting Egypt, a “cradle of ancient civilizations.”
He noted the longstanding admiration Central Asian peoples have had for Egypt’s storied contributions to science and culture, which has drawn countless scholars—from Khwarazm to Bukhara—to its shores over the centuries.
Dr. Abdrimov reflected on the challenges faced by the Islamic world in the 13th century, noting how Turks and Arabs united under the threat of Crusaders and Mongols. He called for a deep, objective study of the crucial years between 1244 and 1260, a time that can provide important lessons for dealing with contemporary global challenges.
Highlighting the enduring connections between the two regions, Dr. Abdrimov observed that cities like Alexandria, Cairo, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Urgench have all stood as centers of Islamic culture and learning.
Recently, he shared, Uzbekistan has begun renewed efforts to study Sultan Qutuz and his legacy, thanks to pragmatic cultural policies led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. While Qutuz is widely revered in Egypt, he is still not well known among many in Uzbekistan and Central Asia—a gap scholars hope to bridge through research, art, and even film.
The visitors also dreamed aloud of finding statues commemorating Qutuz and other Mamluk sultans in Egypt’s historical bazaars—something that would deeply resonate with the rising number of Central Asian tourists.