Samarkand branch of the administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan

Why is Samarkand called “Fat City”? Well, according to the 11th-century scholar Mahmud al-Kashghari, the city was known in Karakhanid as Sämizkänd, meaning “fat city.” This nickname reflects the prosperity and abundance that Samarkand, the third-largest city in Uzbekistan, has enjoyed throughout its history. Right now, you are standing in front of the Samarkand branch of the administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan. The Samarkand branch of the administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan plays a vital role in the religious life of the city. It oversees the activities of mosques, provides guidance to the Muslim community and promotes Islamic education. Samarkand has a long and rich Islamic history, dating back to the 8th century when the armies of the Umayyad Caliphate conquered the city. Under the Samanid dynasty, which ruled Samarkand from the 9th to the 10th centuries, the city became a center of Islamic scholarship and culture. This golden age continued under the Timurid Empire in the 14th century when Timur, also known as Tamerlane, made Samarkand his capital. He adorned the city with magnificent mosques, madrasahs, and mausoleums, many of which still stand today as testaments to Samarkand’s glorious past. The Samarkand branch of the administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan works to preserve this rich heritage and ensure that the principles of Islam continue to guide the lives of the city’s inhabitants. During the Soviet era, religious practices were suppressed, but since Uzbekistan’s independence, there has been a resurgence of Islam. The Samarkand branch of the administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan has played a key role in this revival overseeing the construction of new mosques and the restoration of historic ones. You can truly feel the resurgence of faith as you see the bustling mosques and hear the call to prayer echoing across the city. The Samarkand branch of the administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan embodies the enduring spirit of Islam in this ancient city.