On March 22, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, arrived in Samarkand and visited the mausoleum of Imam Bukhari. Verses from the Quran were recited.
During the holy month of Ramadan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the Almighty for the opportunity to peacefully celebrate Navruz and witness these sacred days. He also wished for peace and prosperity in the country and the success of all good initiatives. The complex of the mausoleum of Imam Bukhari is being developed to honor the great contributions of our ancestor and become a center for spiritual guidance, education, and enlightenment.
The Mausoleum of Imam Bukhari is a significant site for the Islamic world. With the President’s initiative, a new large-scale memorial complex is being built to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims.
The complex covers an area of 44 hectares and includes a magnificent mausoleum and a mosque that can hold 10,000 worshippers. Four 75-meter-high minarets add to the grandeur of the complex. In addition, there is a museum, covered galleries, and other buildings for administrative and auxiliary purposes.
The finishing works are in progress, incorporating traditional elements and warm colors. The facades and walls of the iwans will be adorned with hadiths from “Sahih al-Bukhari”.
Moreover, the construction of more than 20 hotels with a total capacity of 2,000 guests and walking alleys is planned.
This year, Uzbekistan will celebrate the 1,155th anniversary of the birth of Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi. As per a Presidential Resolution, the restoration and improvement of his mausoleum in Samarkand have been scheduled.
The plans for the upcoming works were presented.
The complex will include a congregational mosque for 1,500 worshippers, an administrative building, a library, a conference hall, an innovative museum, and facilities for specialists. There will also be a parking area and ablution facilities for pilgrims.
Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi lived during a time of division within the Islamic world and the spread of various sects. He dedicated his life to defending the true Islamic faith and promoting enlightenment. His works, such as “Ta’wilat al-Qur’an” and “Kitab at-Tawhid”, became the spiritual foundation of the Sunni tradition of Islam, which advocates moderation and tolerance.
The President emphasized the relevance of al-Maturidi’s ideas today and instructed for his legacy to be thoroughly studied and widely promoted. He also directed for all necessary conditions to be created for visitors to the complex.
Another noble project is the improvement of the sacred site of Mahdum A’zam in Oqdaryo district. This eminent Sufi scholar, originally from the Kosonsoy district, was one of the leading mentors of the Naqshbandi tariqa. After a life dedicated to knowledge and faith, he found his final resting place in Samarkand region.
This site also attracts many pilgrims. To accommodate them, a three-story parking facility and ablution area will be built near the mausoleum of Mahdum A’zam.
Other places associated with the lives and contributions of great scholars, thinkers, and saints from Samarkand will also be restored and developed gradually.
UzA