Eshon Temirxon Toʻra Jome Mosque

Eshon Temirxon Toʻra Jome Mosque is a congregational mosque under the jurisdiction of the Office of Muslims of the Republic of Uzbekistan, located in the village of Orlot, Ishtixon district, Samarkand region. This mosque is accounted for under the Cabinet of Ministers and is listed by the Office of Muslims and the Samarkand regional justice department.

Names

The mosque is also mentioned in many sources as the “Mosque of the Migrants”. In some sources the description “Orlot Jome Mosque” also appears.

History

The Eshon Temirxon Toʻra mosque was built in the 1990s by public donation. This mosque is currently one of the active mosques. On 17 October 2019, the regional chief imam‑khateeb Zayniddin Eshonqulov laid the first bricks of a new ablution facility for the mosque. On 11 April 2021, the mosque was rebuilt and the newly renovated building was handed over for use. At the opening of the mosque, the regional governor Erkinjon Turdimov, the chairman of the Office of Muslims of Uzbekistan and mufti Usmonxon Alimov, as well as the religious administration manager Rustam Khoji Jamilov, the regional chief imam‑khateeb Zayniddin Eshonqulov and several well‑known imams participated. The new building of this mosque, built by public donation, was renovated in 2019–2021 according to a modern project. The total area of the mosque courtyard is 5 hectares, and the mosque is designed for 1,000 worshippers. The former imam of this mosque was the imam‑khateeb of Ishtixon district, Samarkand region, Otaxon Safarov; in 2019 the imam‑khateeb was Toshmuhammad Abilov, the deputy imam was Hasanxon Temirov; in 2020 the imam‑khateeb was Toshmuhammad Abilov; in 2022 the deputy imam was Nodirxon Absamatov; and the current imam‑khateeb is Imomiddin Temirov, who leads the Jumu' prayer, the Qurban and Ramadan Eid prayers.

Architecture

The construction of the mosque features a rather complex dome structure, with the porch, balcony and tower crafted in distinctive elegant forms. Its decoration includes charming patterns and elaborate ornaments, and a unique elegance is evident in both the exterior and interior decorations of the mosque building. The blue dome of the mosque bears the 99 names and attributes of Allah, continuing to attract people. In addition, the mosque includes a men's ablution facility for 30 people, a separate women's ablution facility, offices for the clergy (imam‑khateeb, deputies), a kitchen, a guardroom and a guesthouse, providing all necessary amenities.

Location and activity

The mosque belongs to the Ishtixon district of Samarkand region. Muslims from various parts of the Ishtixon district visit the mosque daily to perform the five daily prayers. In addition, residents and travelers from the Sohibkor, Orlot, Qayirma, Oʻzbekqoʻrgʻon, and Bogʻixon neighborhoods of the Ishtixon district attend during Ramadan and Qurbon holidays prayers and on Fridays. The mosque can be reached by route, bus, or light transport, and it is always open for worshippers at the daily prayer times. This mosque is listed among the main mosques of the Ishtixon district where essential information for worshippers is announced and where weekly Friday and holiday prayers are held as a community. More than 100 worshippers attend the five daily prayers, and over 1,000 worshippers attend Friday and holiday prayers. The mosque is also included in the list of mosques in Samarkand region where the Qur'an is recited during Taraweeh prayers. On 15 August 2021, the funeral prayer and condolence ceremonies for Usmonxon Alimov, chairman of the Uzbekistan Muslims Board and mufti, who died of a serious illness in Moscow, were held on 16 August at the “Eshon Temirxon Toʻra” (old Muhojirlar mosque) Friday mosque in the village of Orlot, Ishtixon district, Samarkand region. It should be noted that Usmonxon Alimov was born in 1950 in the Ishtixon district of Samarkand region and worked for 15 years at the Uzbekistan Muslims Board.

Mufti Usmonxon Alimov is familiar with the construction, repair and improvement works being carried out at the Eshon Temirxon Toʻra Mosque. In addition, a mausoleum of Mufti Usmonxon Alimov is being built on the outside of the Eshon Temirxon Toʻra Mosque. In this mausoleum the graves of Eshon Temirxon Toʻra and his sons Khoji Badriddinxon Toʻra and Khoji Sultanxon Toʻra are located. Specifically, on 17 September 2021 the head of the Russian Muslim Religious Association, Moscow mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov recited the Qur’an in the “Eshon Temirxon Toʻra” Grand Mosque together with the community in honor of Sheikh Usmonxon Temirxon’s son Alimov Hazrat.