Usmon Ota Mosque

Usmon ota mosque – a congregational mosque under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan Muslims Office, located in the Tashkent region. In this mosque, together with local Muslims, representatives of the population coming from neighboring areas perform the five daily prayers as well as the Friday prayer, Ramadan and Qurban Hayit prayers in a communal manner, making it not only one of the largest mosques in the district but also in the region. After the new building of the mosque was launched in the years of independence, the number of visitors and the congregation further increased. This mosque has a rich and unknown history, being the oldest mosque of the Oʻrta Chirchiq district and one of the notable main sites. The reason it is called Usmon ota mosque is that in ancient times a saint named Usmon ota lived at this site and contributed to the development of the area. Various legends and myths exist about who Usmon ota actually was, where he was born and raised, what deeds he performed, and about his death. However, it is clear that this person was present in the area for a certain period and there is information that he, together with local residents, carried out commendable works to develop the area and improve the way of life of the people.

Location

Usmon ota congregational mosque is located on Usmon ota street in the southwestern part of Oʻrta Chirchiq district of Tashkent region. To this mosque come residents of the neighborhoods named Aranchi, Yomgʻirchi, Oqqutay, Kuchlik, Usmon ota, Yoriq, Muxtor Avezov, Chegara, Qoʻshdaryo, Bobur, Qadriyat, Sharif ota, Usmon Yusupov, Changtepa, as well as the citizen assemblies of Jaloir, Toshtoʻgʻon, Olimkent neighborhoods bordering the Usmon ota neighborhood of Oqqoʻrgʻon district, together with more than 12 000 worshippers from Nurafshon city and other parts of Oʻrta Chirchiq district. The design and planners of the mosque’s construction arranged the building plan so that during major prayer times such as Friday prayer, Ramadan and Qurban Hayit it can accommodate more than 15–16 000 Muslims. In addition, this mosque is situated on the Oqqoʻrgʻon and Qoʻyliq highway, making it convenient for various travelers, guests, pilgrims and tourists. The Tashkent–Angren railway passes in front of the mosque. In Guliston district of Sirdaryo region there is also a congregational mosque named Usmon ota operating.

Construction

Usmon Ota Friday Mosque consists of two floors together with its cavern. The cavern itself can accommodate more than two thousand worshippers. The mosque has a single 50‑meter minaret that serves as a pavilion for travelers and worshippers. The main building of the mosque has three domes, and on its four sides there are many‑paneled doors and windows. In addition, the mosque complex includes, besides the main building, a chief imam’s hall, a spirituality‑education hall, a library and rooms for receiving visitors. At the same time, more than 30 worshippers can use the modern ablution facilities. The Friday mosque was built on the basis of Islamic architecture, and its walls are adorned with various Islamic decorations, Qur’an verses and surahs written in the style of Zarr, Eastern‑style patterns, and its doors and windows are carved with motifs based on national craftsmanship. The mosque is bounded on the south by the Usmon Ota cemetery, on the southwest by a Christian cemetery, on the east by wide meadow areas, and on the north by residential settlements. The building has been tested to a degree that it can withstand various natural disasters.

History

There are no precise data about when the Usmon Ota Friday Mosque was established. According to the local population, in the 1930s a caravan route passed by this sanctuary and local residents, tourists and travelers worshipped there. Up to that time the mosque had been rebuilt four times. The last rebuilt structure was intended for three hundred people and was cramped for many worshippers. In March 2020, with the approval of the leadership, local residents, Nurani, sponsors, community activists, and entrepreneurs began reconstruction of the mosque, and on 2 August 2022 the new building of the mosque was handed over for use. On that day the opening ceremony of the mosque was held with the participation of the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Muslim Board, Mufti Nuriddin Xoliqnazarov, the chief imam‑khateeb of Tashkent region Jasurbek Raupov, and other religious scholars. At the opening ceremony of the new building, community activists, imam‑khateebs, Nurani, state officials and representatives of public organizations took part. After the noon prayer, the mufti gave a beautiful sermon to the congregation.

Masjid was registered as a religious organization by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 28, 1995.