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Juma Mosque in Tashkent

Discovering the Rich Heritage of

Juma Mosque in Tashkent

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.

At the designated hour, the Imam leads the congregation, reciting verses from the Quran as believers follow the prescribed postures of prostration. The prayer, lasting approximately 20 minutes, concludes with collective expressions of gratitude towards Allah. A khutbah, or sermon, addressing the ruler of the land, accompanies each Friday prayer, underscoring the mosque’s role as a spiritual and communal hub.

Throughout its history, Juma Mosque has endured natural disasters and political upheavals, undergoing significant reconstructions following earthquakes in the 18th and 19th centuries. After the devastating earthquake of 1868, which left the mosque in ruins for two decades, it was restored in 1888 with funds allocated by the Russian emperor Alexander III, earning it the moniker of the Tsarist Mosque.

During the Soviet era, Juma Mosque faced periods of confiscation and repurposing, serving as an administrative building for various government agencies. However, subsequent restorations in the 1990s revitalized the mosque, with modern architects reconstructing its architectural ensemble, including the addition of three domes to replace the original cube structure.

Today, amidst the changing landscape of Tashkent, Juma Mosque remains a symbol of resilience, faith, and cultural continuity. Its sacred halls echo with centuries of prayers, embodying the enduring spirit of Uzbekistan’s religious heritage, preserved for generations to come.

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