Uzbekistan is home to some of the most well-preserved mosques and Islamic sites. This beautiful country, situated in Central Asia, is also the birthplace of many renowned Muslim clerics and scholars namely Imam Al Bukhari, Ibnu Sina, alBeruni, and many more. There has been increasing attention given to developing Uzbekistan's tourism potential, with the development of a new form of tourism, “Ziyarah tourism” which was a term coined by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan.
For the past two years, Uzbekistan has been investing in building and improving infrastructures, hotels and visa-free entry for 86 countries and over 50 countries with e-visa facilities - highlighting its commitment to developing tourism in the country. One of the initiatives to make Uzbekistan a Muslim-friendly destination includes the establishment of prayer rooms in shopping and entertainment centers in "Mega Planet" and "Afsona" in Tashkent.
Image Credit: Baqbergen Atabayev on Unsplash
Uzbekistan has also come up with several initiatives to provide Muslim-friendly services in the country. Initiatives by the Uzbekistan State Committee for Tourism Development to provide Muslim-friendly services and facilities are now being implemented by state and private organizations. Prayer facilities are offered for Muslims in all international airports and main railway stations in the provinces.
Image Credit: Mega Planet Tashkent on Facebook
Recently, shopping and entertainment centers like “Mega Planet” and “Afsona” in the capital city of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, have established their first prayer rooms for Muslim visitors. With these Muslim-friendly facilities made available, tourists no longer need to worry about prayers while spending their time in the shopping malls.
Image Credit: Darrell Chaddock on Unsplash; Bukhara, a must-visit city in Uzbekistan, with well-preserved historical sites and Islamic architecture
If you are planning for your next travel post-COVID-19, Uzbekistan is highly recommended as your next destination! As travel restrictions slowly ease out, service providers in Uzbekistan will provide facilities that will increase Muslim traveller experience across the country. This makes Uzbekistan a travel destination that should not be missed as Muslim travellers can travel with ease, without worrying about Muslim-friendly amenities since they would be readily available by the time it is safe to travel again.
Image Credit: JK Baseer on Unsplash; Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Not only that, this beautiful country, which is one of the cradles of Islamic knowledge, boasts a great collection of historical monuments and architecture - with strong links to the history of the Silk Road. It is no wonder that Uzbekistan is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Popular cites like Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara are definitely a must-visit for first-timers; you get to explore the different palaces, mosques, historical monuments, and many more, which could definitely help you in understanding the rich history and development of Islam in this country.
