The President of Uzbekistan discusses the implementation of priority projects with Saudi Arabia
On October 15, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who arrived in Uzbekistan at the head of a large delegation of leading business executives from Saudi Arabia.
The distinguished guest conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to the President of Uzbekistan.
The talks focused on expanding multifaceted cooperation and strengthening a comprehensive partnership between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the practical implementation of high-level agreements.
The dynamic progress of mutually beneficial relations was noted with great satisfaction. Contacts at all levels have intensified, the volume of mutual trade and direct investment has continued to grow, and the number of joint ventures has increased. Air connectivity between the two countries has also been significantly expanded.
The portfolio of joint projects between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia has now reached $27 billion. Several large-scale energy projects totaling $15 billion are being implemented in cooperation with ACWA Power.
High appreciation was given to the productive outcomes of the recent meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council, held the previous day in Tashkent, during which new agreements and contracts were signed.
Particular attention was devoted to the timely implementation of projects and initiatives in the fields of green energy, agriculture, electrical engineering, real estate, and regional infrastructure modernization, as well as other priority areas of cooperation.
Sheikh Bashir bin Ahmed Siddiq at Masjid an-Nabawi Passes Away After 60 Years of Service
Sheikh Bashir bin Ahmed Siddiq, the senior Quran recitation teacher at Al-Masjid An-Nabawi, passed away on October 1, 2025, after dedicating sixty years to teaching at the Prophet’s Mosque. His students include some of the most prominent reciters and Islamic scholars of recent generations, forming a legacy that extends across the Muslim world.
Among his notable students are former Holy Mosques Imams Sheikh Muhammad Ayyoub and Sheikh Ali Jaber, current An-Nabawi Imams Sheikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Qasim and Sheikh Salah Al-Budair, and Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shanqiti of the Senior Scholars Council. These figures represent just a portion of the thousands who studied under Sheikh Bashir’s guidance at the Medina mosque.
Sheikh Bashir established himself as a pillar of Quranic education within the sacred premises of the Prophet’s Mosque. His teaching career spanned six decades, during which he maintained a consistent presence in the mosque’s educational circles.
Students traveled from various countries specifically to learn Quran recitation from him, drawn by his reputation for precision and deep knowledge of tajweed rules.
The Sheikh’s methodology combined traditional teaching techniques with deep scholarly insight, creating a learning environment that produced some of the most recognized voices in Islamic recitation.
His students now lead prayers at Islam’s holiest sites and hold positions on scholarly councils, continuing the traditions he preserved and taught.