Located in Old Town Tashkent, the top sight in city is the Hazrati Imam (“Holy Imam”) Complex named after the 10th century scholar Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. It consists of the 16th century madrasah, the mausoleum of Abu Bakr, the library, as well as the more recently built mosque. This is a good place to whet the appetite before the journey onward to Bukhara and Samarkand.
The newest project next to the complex is the Islamic Civilization Center, which is currently under construction.A massive building, which I can only imagine its splendor after completion.The beautiful dome atop a subdome.Hazrati Imam Mosque built in 2007 using Indian sandalwood, Iranian blue tiles, and Turkish green marble.The screened off women’s sectionMain prayer roomThe ceiling of the women’s sectionThe more elaborate dome ceiling of the main mosque A close upThe library, which we dubbed the House of Korans with a touch of “eau du feet” because of the overwhelming feet smell in a small enclosed space. It houses the UNESCO heritage 8/9th century Samarkand Kufic Koran, which was taken by Amir Timur from present day Iraq to Samarkand. It later ended up in Russia, and back to Central Asia as a good will gesture of Lenin. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside.Barack-Khan madrasah from the 16th century.View of the mosque from the madrasahCourtyardThe madrasah now houses a collection of shops selling souvenirs.Beautiful dome of the madrasahThe fully restored 16th century Abu Bakr mausoleum Entrance to the mausoleum
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