At the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the mosque that is being built in Chilanzar district will be named after Sheikh Muhammad Sadik Muhammad Yusuf.
The President of Uzbekistan visited the construction site of this mosque, in Tashkent.
Sheikh Muhammad Sadik Muhammad Yusuf was a scholar, not only well-known in Uzbekistan, but also recognized throughout the Islamic world, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He devoted his life to studying and promoting the foundations of our sacred religion, educating youth in the spirit of enlightened Islam.
Sheikh Muhammad Sadik Muhammad Yusuf in 1989, in a very difficult time, became chairman, mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. That period has a special place in the history as the time of revival of Islamic science, religious traditions and values. He made a great contribution to resolution of many unnecessary disagreements in those difficult years.
As mufti he conducted wide international activity, became able to establish and develop cultural and enlightenment ties with many Islamic countries.
Sheikh Muhammad Sadik Muhammad Yusuf as mufti and as a deputy of the Supreme Council of the former union introduced an appeal to the government, which set out issues of respecting the rights of Muslims, creating necessary conditions for them.
Coming out with such an initiative at a time when the totalitarian ideology was dominant, without a doubt, was a great feat, said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. As a result, the Soviet government changed its policy towards Muslims, mosques and madrassas were opened, the number of pilgrims performing the Hajj increased. In 1990, 500 Muslims succeeded in performing the Hajj from the Central Asian republics through the city of Tashkent. This is a great result, considering that at that time only 20-30 people from the whole union went to the Hajj annually.
Sheikh Muhammad Sadik enjoyed great respect and authority among Muslims of the whole world. He was a member of such authoritative organizations as the Executive Bureau of the Assembly of Islamic Scholars and World Thinkers, the International Union of Muslim Scholars, the Muslim World League, the Royal Academy of Jordan. He was awarded the “Laurel of the Nile” gold medal of the Arab Republic of Egypt. It should be emphasized that no one in the history of modern Uzbekistan has reached such heights in the Islamic sciences as he did.
An outstanding scholar wrote more than 100 books on various religious and enlightenment themes. Wise words, conversations, speeches on radio and television, books, including audiobooks of the Sheikh took a firm place in the life of people of Uzbekistan.
With his profound knowledge, good instruction and exemplary activities, Sheikh Muhammad Sadik Muhammad Yusuf is an example of conscientious service for the sake of the Motherland and development of religion. Studying his life and scientific activity, familiarizing people with his heritage is an honorable duty.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, getting acquainted with the project of the mosque, noted the need for its further improvement, studying the proposals of the population and religious figures.
Pakistan’s electronic publication “Network News Pakistan” published an article entitled “Central Asia Emerges as World’s Fastest-Growing Tourism Region in 2025, Uzbekistan Leads: WTTC”, reports Dunyo IA.
Article notes that, according to the “Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research 2026” conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Central Asia became the world’s fastest-growing tourism region in 2025.
“WTTC conducts its research by dividing the world into 13 major regions. Based on the results for 2025, Central Asia ranked first in the world across a number of key tourism performance indicators. At the same time, Uzbekistan emerged as the leader among the Central Asian countries across all these indicators”, publication states.
Publication notes that in 2025, the total contribution of travel and tourism to Central Asia’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 17.7%, while the sector’s direct contribution to GDP grew by 19.6%. Visitor exports in the region increased by 26.4% over the year, reaching $9.9 billion.
Nearly half of the region’s total visitor exports came from Uzbekistan. In particular, Uzbekistan generated $4.8 billion in tourism exports in 2025. According to WTTC data, in 2025, Uzbekistan was the most popular travel destination for residents of Central Asia.
“Overall, these figures confirm the regional nature of tourism: residents of Central Asia travel within their own region more frequently than anywhere else”, article states.
Citing a WTTC forecast, Network News Pakistan also reports that by 2036, the total contribution of the travel and tourism sector to Central Asia’s economy will reach $29.7 billion.