Due to the lack of rainfall during this year’s autumn season and the absence of precipitation expected in the coming days, the initiative of the Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, Mufti Shaykh Nuriddin Kholiqnazar, has designated 28 November 2025, Friday, for performing Salat al-Istisqa (the prayer for rain) in all mosques across our country after the Friday prayer.
On this occasion, sacrificial animals will be slaughtered at regional, district, and city central mosques, as well as at pilgrimage sites, and the meat will be distributed to families in need, orphans, and the elderly.
On the same day, before the Friday prayer, teachers and students of higher and secondary specialized Islamic educational institutions will complete a full reading (khatm) of Imam al-Bukhari’s Sahih al-Bukhari.
Imams currently performing the ‘umrah pilgrimage in Makkah al-Mukarramah and Madinah al-Munawwarah are encouraged to perform the Salat al-Istisqa together with their groups in the Noble Harams.
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan Press Service
British newspaper “The Times” has published a special travel feature on Tashkent, presenting the capital of Uzbekistan as a destination in its own right that deserves more than just a brief stopover, reports Dunyo IA.
The article, written by journalist Claire Bubbayer, highlights the combination of the city's rich historical heritage and vibrant contemporary cultural scene. Among the main attractions, she features the Centre for Islamic Civilization, opened in 2026, the Centre for Contemporary Art, the Museum of Applied Arts and the famous Chorsu Bazaar.
The publication also draws attention to Tashkent’s distinctive architecture, including its uniquely decorated metro stations, modernist buildings and historic urban spaces. According to the article, ten modernist architectural sites in the capital have received UNESCO World Heritage status.
“Uzbekistan deserves more of travellers’ attention than just a brief stop on a Silk Road tour,” Claire Bubbayer notes, highlighting the emergence of new cultural venues and the development of the city’s creative scene.
Uzbekistan’s national cuisine also features prominently in the article. British travellers are encouraged to try traditional manti dumplings, lagman noodles and various regional varieties of plov. Among the recommended dining venues are Afsona and Beshqozon restaurants, where visitors can experience Uzbek culinary traditions and watch the preparation of the country’s famous plov in large traditional cauldrons.
The article also recommends several accommodation options in the capital, including Farovon Tashkent, Sapiens Hotel and Swissôtel Tashkent. Direct air connections between the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan, operated by Uzbekistan Airways and Qanot Sharq, are highlighted as an additional advantage for British travellers.
The Times feature presents Tashkent not merely as a starting point for exploring Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, but as a destination with its own appeal, combining contemporary cultural life, distinctive architecture, gastronomy and a rich historical heritage.