Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are some of the cities included in the pilgrimage tourism packages as they display numerous historical sites which aim to provide Muslims in Malaysia the opportunity to perform minor pilgrimages, and encourage Malaysians of all ethnic and racial background to explore the rich historical heritage of Uzbekistan.

Uzbek Delegation, led by Chairman of the State Committee on tourism development Anvar Sharapov visited Malaysia for the purpose to further expand partnership between representatives of the tourism industry, increase the tourist exchange between the countries and attract Malaysian investors to establish modern infrastructure in Uzbekistan.

During the meeting with the leadership of the Malaysian Association of tour operators and travel agencies, a decision was agreed to send large Uzbek tour operators to Malaysia, for they would hold B2B meetings with their colleagues and discuss prospective projects for Malaysian tourists and pilgrims who wish to visit Uzbekistan.

Uzbek delegation and its head also meet with Datuk Hj Hamzah Rahmat, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agencies (MATTA) and discussed future plans to develop pilgrimage tourism packages for Malaysians to visit multiple historical and holy sites in Uzbekistan.

Intergovermental  Agreed Minutes between two tourism ministries of Uzbekistan and Malaysia was signed during the visit, as well, a 5 MOUs among tourism companies of two countries. These agreements will greatly facilitate an expansion of bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism and boost business ties and trade opportunities, between the countries.

During the visit, they also held negotiations at the Council of the Fund of pilgrims – Tabunhaji, the Islamic Center for tourism, Malaysian Tourism Center.

Uzbek minister Anvar  also met with Minister of culture and tourism of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri. Issues of mutually beneficial cooperation and promoting the tourism potential of two countries were discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of pilgrimage tourism in historical places, tombs of Islamic saints and great scientists-theologians of Islam and philosophers in Uzbekistan.

Annually about 250 thousand Malaysian Muslims pay pilgrimage  Hajj and Umrah. In this connection, one can add that one of the most important places for every Muslim to visit, after the hajj to sacred Makkah and Madinah, is pay hommage to the shrine of Great Imam Al-Bukhariy near legendary city of Samarkand.

Shrine of Imam Al-Bukhariy in village of Chelak near Samarkand.

Indeed, one can say that today Malaysians show great interest in visiting shrines of great Imams of Islamic religion, like Imam Al Bukhariy, Imam Al-Maturdi, Imam At-Termizi, Bahauddin Nakshbandi, Al-Beruniy and many others, whose sacred burial places and shrines are located in Uzbekistan. I, myself, in April, had chance to make visit these places.

Practical steps to expand cooperation in this and some of other directions will be discussed during upcoming later this month B2B meeting of tour-operators in our capital Kuala Lumpur. Big tourism committee  delegation and many Uzbek tourism companies are expected very soon to hold business  talks with their Malaysian partners.

Hj. Rithsman Bin Hj. Mohamed