Imam who was educated in Tashkent has become Muftiy of Kazakstan
VIII Kurultay (meeting) of Religious Muslim Board of Kazakstan was held in Almati and according to it the new muftiy of Kazakstan has become Oraz Khadji Serikbay, Chief imam of “Khazret Sultan” grand mosque.
On December 8th new muftiy Serikbay Khodji Oraz was presented for the participants of the meeting. About 300 delegates univocally approved the candidature of Serikbay Khodji Oraz. During the meeting new deputies of the muftiy were elected. The former muftiy was 45-years old Erjan Khodji Malgajioli.
Serikbay Oraz Satibaldi oli was born on April 12, 1975. In 1992 he graduated madrasah on preparation of Koran reciters in Tashkent, University of Al Azkhar in Egypt and World University of Islamabad. Studied (part time) at State Law University named after Abay in Almati.
He worked as an assistant imam in a Almati mosque, teacher at Islamic Institute and the rector of Islamic University. In 2013 he was appointed as Deputy Muftiy and Chief Imam of “Khazret Sultan” grand mosque. Married and has 7 kids.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
“Network News Pakistan”: Uzbekistan becomes the most popular travel destination for Central Asian residents in 2025
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.
