An international symposium titled “Descendants of Alp Er Tonga: The Turkic-Islamic World During the Karakhanid Era” was organized in cooperation with Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Organization of Turkic States, the General Secretariat of TÜRKSOY, Tashkent International University, and the National Media Association of Uzbekistan. Held on October 16, 2025, in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, the symposium was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Rector of Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies Prof. Dr. Gulchehra Rikhsiyeva, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan Prof. Dr. Kongirotbay Sheripov, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of TÜRKSOY Sultan Raev, President of the Turkic Academy Prof. Dr. Shahin Mustafayev, President of the National Media Association of Uzbekistan Sherzodhon Kudrathodja, as well as other university rectors, scholars, and members of the press.

In the opening speeches of the symposium, the role and importance of the Karakhanid period in shaping Turkic-Islamic civilization were emphasized. Attention was drawn to the significance of this period in terms of a shared sense of history. During the scientific sessions, scholars from Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries presented papers on the historical, linguistic, literary, artistic, religious, and intellectual heritage of the Karakhanid era. The sessions also evaluated new proposals for digitally mapping historical sites from the Karakhanid period and promoting cultural heritage within the scope of the visitor tourism project.

Speaking about the symposium, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil highlighted its importance for understanding the Turkic-Islamic civilization. He explained that the Karakhanid era was the time when the Turks first came into contact with Islam and that the Karakhanids, by using Turkish as their official language, helped preserve the historical and cultural heritage of their period up to the present. Prof. Dr. Karahocagil emphasized that the Karakhanid era left behind remarkable scientific, cultural, and social achievements and reminded that this shared legacy belongs to all Turkic peoples. He also thanked everyone who contributed to making the symposium possible.