In the heart of Tashkent city, the Islamic Institute named after Imam al-Bukhari stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Islamic scholarship. Established in 1971 by the esteemed Sheikh Ziyauddinkhan ibn Eshon Babakhan, a figure of considerable repute in the Islamic religious community, the institute marked a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the USSR dedicated to the study of Islam.
The institute’s edifice rises from the historical grounds of the Namozgoh mosque, a 19th-century sanctuary that, like many religious structures, fell to ruin during the Revolution. The decision to resurrect the Islamic institute on this site was a symbolic act of restoration and reverence. It wasn’t until 1997, however, that the institute received its modern form, following an extensive renovation of the Hast Imam Complex, which envelops the institute within its sacred precincts.
Each year, the Tashkent Islamic Institute nurtures the minds of up to 200 students, equipping them with knowledge that serves them in both religious and secular capacities upon graduation. The institute’s curriculum is a collaborative effort, sanctioned by the Committee on Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education, ensuring that graduates leave with diplomas recognized by state authorities.
The institute’s alumni include a distinguished roster of CIS scholars, muftis, and ulemas who have risen to prominence in the Muslim world. Names such as Ravil Gainutdin, Akhmad Kadyrov, Umar Idrisov, and Allahshukur Pashazade stand out as luminaries who have walked its halls and contributed significantly to the discourse of Islamic thought and leadership.
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