The Juma Mosque in Tashkent, rooted in the city’s ancient center, holds a revered position as the first Friday Cathedral Mosque established in 819 AD. Over the centuries, this architectural marvel has undergone numerous reconstructions, renovations, and name changes, yet it remains a prominent landmark, integral to the fabric of the Old City. Surrounding it are the bustling districts of Chorsu, Khadra, and Eski Juva, each steeped in history and culture.
Ranked as the oldest among Tashkent’s 157 mosques and the third-largest in Uzbekistan, after Samarkand’s Bibi-Khanum and Bukhara’s Poi-Kalyan, the Juma Mosque carries significant historical and religious significance. Since the 15th century, it has been dedicated to Khoja Akhrar Vali, a prominent Sufi leader who commissioned its construction in 1451 atop the original Juma Mosque foundation.
Architecturally, the Khoja Akhrar Vali mosque is structured as a 15-meter cube, symbolizing the revered Kaaba, with a dome and arches facing eastward. In pre-revolutionary Tashkent, amidst a skyline dominated by low-rise buildings, this mosque stood tall, offering panoramic views of the city. Its orientation towards Mecca, a practice adhered to since ancient times, reflects the devout beliefs and customs of the community.
Inside the mosque, a mihrab and space for the Imam take center stage, surrounded by arched galleries housing cells and a takhoratkhona for ablution rituals. The interior exudes simplicity, devoid of elaborate ornamentation, fostering an atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection. During this period, women were prohibited from entering mosques, limited to visiting cemeteries and seeking counsel from sheiks.
The Friday prayer, or Juma, holds special significance for Muslims, with attendance considered obligatory. In medieval Tashkent, the mukhtasibs enforced compliance, imposing penalties on those who neglected their religious duties. The ritual of Juma prayer involves meticulous preparation, from performing ablutions to aligning shoulder to shoulder, facing Mecca.