Friday 14 June 2019

UZBEKISTAN-- MINOR HAJJ/PILGRIMAGE JOURNEY

A Minor Hajj is journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically , it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's belief and faith though sometimes it can be a metaphorial journey into someone's own beliefs. Many religions attach spiritual importance to particular place : the place of birth or death of founders or saints, or to the place of their " calling " or spiritual awakening, or of their connection ( visual or verbal) with the divine or to locations where miracles were performed or witnesses or locations where a deity is said to live or be "housed', or any site that is seen to have special spiritual powers. Such sites maybe commemorated with shrines or temples that devotes are encouraged to visit for their own spiritual benefit ; to be healed or have questions answered or to achieve some other spiritual benefit. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.

The Holy Land acts as a focal point for the pilgrimages pf the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These pilgrims visit the Holy Land to touch and see physical manifestation of their faith , confirm their beliefs in the holy context with collective excitation and connect personally to the Land. The pilgrimage is conducted during Zul -Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim 's lunar calendar.

In the country , there are many historical monuments relating to the origin , pervasion and spread of Zoroastrianism , Buddhism , Judaism , Christianity and of course Islam, in the 8th century making Uzbekistan as a sacred country practicing minor pilgrimage. Invasions in Tashkent and natural calamities , including the devastating earthquake in 1966 has swept most of the medieval buildings of the ancient past. However, there are still many  masterpieces of the Islamic culture such as the Madrassah  of Kulkeldash constructed by the most powerful vizer Kulkeldash which is one of the leading muslim theological education establishments in the whole Central asia. Another example is the Sheikjantaur Mausoleum , named after Sheik Hovandi Takhur who is very much respected by the Muslims in the 15th century or better known as "wise of the wisest". The Barak -Khan Madrassah housed Uzbekistan's Office of spiritual Administration of Muslim since the 16th century until today.

The Hazarati Imam Complex comprises of few structures . One of the structures is the Kaffal Shahsi mausoleum which was constructed in honour of Imam Mohamed  Abu- Bakra Ali ibn Ismail Al Kaffal Al Shashi who was born in the Shash region ( Tashkent today) and was given the title "(Great Imam).

The Barak -Khan Madrassah housed the most valuable "Ottoman Koran" the primary source of the holy manuscripts of Islam. the Zangiota Mausoleum is where Saint "Dark Father" , the most honourable shepherd gazer in the 15th century was buried. In 2007, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)have named Tashkent as the Capital of Islamic Culture.

SAMARKAND which was founded more than 2750 years ago is home to fascinating historical monuments. The focus of its beauty is the Registan better known as " Sanday Place". It is the most magnificent landmark in Samarkand. It consists  of three Madrassahs. Besides that, the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Gur Emir Mausoleum features beautiful architecture such as their interior and exterior inscription decor.

The Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble is the most important pilgrimage site for both locals and tourists. The same goes to the Iman al- Bukhari Mausoleum which can accommodate more than 1500 worshipers at one time and a visit to this shrine is considered by the Muslims to be equal to a minor Hajj.

As SAMARKAND was the centre of commerce , BUKHARA on the other hand became the empires' religious heart. " "While elsewhere light radiates from heaven onto land, in holy Bukhara it radiates upward to illuminate heaven onto land". Its cultural and architectural legacy was recognized by UNESCO and the city is inscribed in the World Heritage Listing. The center of his history in Bukhara best seen on foot is The Ark once a fortified residence of a Bukhara ruler known as " The Shadow of Allah ".

  The Ismail Samani Mausoleum , a 1000 year old edifice is a real masterpiece by its founder , Ismail Samani, and it has been preserved since the Mongol invasion by Genghis Khan. The Modari -Khan Madrassah and the Abdullah -Khan Madrassah and the Abdullah -Khan Madrassah are important religious school back in the 16th century. The Kalyan Minaret ( Short Minaret) was once the tallest minaret in Central Asia and the Lyabi Hauz Archtectual Complex  which  houses a few Madrassahs are where pilgrims find peace and quiet is what one needs so much to get closer to God.

Minor hajj is important to Muslims  as it is obligatory to perform it once in a lifetime , viewed as a particularly meritorious activity. Pilgrimage serves as a penance -the ultimate forgiveness for sins, devotion and intense spirituality. A Minor Hajj to sacred land in Uzbekistan begins from Tashkent - Samarkand -Bukhara and will take at least 4 to 5 days . 

No comments:

Featured post

UNKNOWN

 人生里,限制你发展的往往不是学历和经验, 而是工作圈和社交身边的人。 人生最大的运气不是捡到钱或中大奖,而是那些愿意花时间和精神去指引你和帮助你开拓你的眼界,纠正你的格局,给你正能量和对你诚实的人。