On September 1, 2017 Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited “Khazrati Imam Complex” and talked to the state and religious scholars, leaders and representatives of the Committee on Religious Affairs, Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization where the president gave a number of tasks. One of such tasks was to organize grand competition on Qur’an recitation around the country.
The competition which is going to be organized by the initiative of the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will be open for all citizens aged between 18-40 years old. Besides students from various madrasas and Tashkent Islamic Institute who traditionally took part in the event, this time imams, assistant imams, muazzins (callers for prayer ) and all other citizens who can read Qur’an and willing to participate in the competition.
The contest will be held in two nominations: khifz (reciters of Qur’an who learned Qur’an by heart and tilavat (those who can read Qur’an correctly by rules).
Participants are divided into two age groups:
18‒25 years old;
25‒40 year old.
According to the contest schedule an initial stage will be held in provinces in March 2018 and the final stage in April 2018. The registration for the participation will be between January 1-10, 2018.
Qur’an contest will host also females participants.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
Jinnah Antarctic Research Station, operational since 1991, emerges as likely site of inaugural salah in Antarctica amid Pakistan’s polar scientific missions.
The Jinnah Antarctic Station, Pakistan’s permanent research facility established in 1991, is recognized as the first confirmed location where Islamic prayers (salah) were performed on the Antarctic continent.
Situated in the East Antarctic region, the station has served as a scientific and logistical base for decades.
Operated by Pakistan’s National Institute of Oceanography, the station conducts year-round studies in glaciology, marine biology, and climate science.
Since its inauguration, Muslim members of winter-over teams have maintained prayer routines within designated spaces at the base, despite extreme cold, months-long darkness, and isolation.
While informal worship likely occurred earlier during transient expeditions, documented communal prayers began with the station’s continuous operation.
A small musallah (prayer area) was established inside the main living module, oriented toward Mecca using calculated qibla directions specific to the Antarctic region.
Antarctic Treaty protocols respect all forms of religious observance across research stations. The Government of Pakistan confirmed the station remains active today, with ongoing research and religious accommodation for personnel.
The station is named for Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan.