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Business Times
13 hours ago
- Business Times
Uzbekistan: The crossroads of history
UZBEKISTAN MAY BE A LITTLE-HEARD-OF country and an even more improbable travel destination. But mention 'Silk Road' and undulating images of Chinese, Persian and Indian traders of times past, with their caravans and camels laden with silk, tea and spices, come to mind. Their 6,400 km journey from China to the Middle East and Imperial Rome took them through mountain passes and arid deserts, all while facing the constant threat of bandits. They also passed through Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva – ancient cities whose location on this important trade route made them hubs not just for business, but also for the exchange of ideas and the development of science and culture. Samarkand even earned the title 'Pearl of the Orient'. These three cities are now part of modern-day Uzbekistan, whose origins date back to the first millennium BC. The country's territories were once conquered by Alexander the Great, invaded by Chinggis Khan, and subjugated by the Russian Empire – to name just a few periods of its captivating past. And so we arrive, in 38 deg C summer heat, in this crucible of history. Registan Square in Samarkand is a breathtaking sight. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO Samarkand Nothing prepares you for Samarkand. Registan Square and its three large madrasahs, set perpendicular to one another, will take your breath away. More than 500 years old, these blue and yellow edifices with imposing domes and minarets gleam golden in the evening light. Couples having wedding photoshoots in traditional Uzbek costumes add to the pomp and circumstance. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The blue and yellow edifices are older than half a century. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO A couple in traditional Uzbek costumes. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO A climb up the leaning minaret – imperfectly restored after years of neglect – is less like a StairMaster workout and more like a series of pull-ups: the high steps of the narrow spiral staircase require visitors to haul themselves up on a rope railing. But perching on the penultimate step, the upper half of your body protruding from the tower's small opening, earns you an even more impressive view of the square. Uzbeks are particularly proud of Amir Timur, a 14th-century conqueror known in the Western world as 'Tamerlane', in reference to a limp he had. Founder of the Timurid Dynasty, he was an undefeated commander who bested the Mongol hordes, the Mamluks of Egypt, and expanded his empire's borders to India. Historical monuments connected to this warrior dot Samarkand. The Gur-i Amir mausoleum, which houses the crypts of 14th-century conqueror Amir Timur and his descendants. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO The Gur-i Amir mausoleum, for instance, was built by the conqueror for his grandson and heir, over whose death he was inconsolable. The complex now houses the crypts of Timur himself, several descendants of his and his closest spiritual adviser, who had always followed him on his military campaigns – an indication of the esteem in which highly learned men were held. Ulugh Beg, another grandson of Timur, was a noted mathematician and astronomer who built an advanced observatory that accurately calculated the solar year – its precise cataloguing of the stars was used for centuries. But these endeavours were decried by religious leaders, who viewed them as entering the celestial gates without divine permission. Legend has it that the Bibi-Khanym Mosque was built by Timur's favourite wife (he had 43 wives and concubines). PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO And legend has it that the Bibi-Khanym Mosque was built by Timur's favourite wife (he had 43 wives and concubines) of the same name, in honour of his victory over the Indians. But it was constructed in a rush – just over five years – and now sits in disrepair, ravaged by wind and weather. But the most compelling site is Shah-i-Zinda. The 14th-century necropolis boasts elaborate tiled edifices and domed pavilions within a narrow passage, serving as the final resting place for royalty, high-ranking clergy and illustrious academics. The Shah-i-Zinda is the final resting place for the likes of royalty. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO Bukhara In comparison, a visit to Bukhara is a more intimate experience, with its wizened madrasahs, spectacular mosques and ancient bathhouses rubbing shoulders in tight spaces. In the heart of the city is a many-pillared mosque facing the Ark, or citadel, from which emirs once administered the kingdom. It was also through the fortress' gates that the last emir fled into exile, when the Red Army took control. But we have come at a happier time. It is the weekend of Eid al-Adha, an important Islamic holiday, and the streets of the Old Town are alive with a silk and spice festival. Loud traditional music fills the night air, women dance in the open spaces, and families mill about the bazaar. A visit to Bukhara is a more intimate experience. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO At the oldest bathhouse, only female customers are welcome after 8 pm. We – four naked women, each wrapped in a threadbare cotton sheet – are led into a windowless grotto that feels like it was chiselled into marble. We are told to remove our flimsy covering, then are steamed, washed, scrubbed and, finally, massaged on the central dais by an old lady in a T-shirt and panties, as well as her granddaughter, sporting just a crop top and G-string. No one bats an eyelid at the nudity or the intimate touching. One customer is gossiping loudly with the staff in Russian, which is spoken interchangeably with Uzbek here, their guttural voices bouncing off the ancient stone walls. What secrets this cavern must be privy to, you think to yourself, while wondering if it is prudish to keep your legs crossed. A festive bazaar in Bukhara. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO Khiva Much farther west, between the edge of the Kyzylkum Desert and the border with Turkmenistan, lies Khiva. Khiva is near Uzbekistan's border with Turkmenistan. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO The city is famous for Itchan Kala, a small ancient town encircled by crenellated walls. The fortress is still intact in places, and in the central square sits a squat turquoise tower known as the Kalta Minor, an unfinished minaret. The Kalta Minor. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO A closer look at the tiles on the Kalta Minor. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO The adjacent madrasah is now a three-star hotel. Each guest room, smaller than a bathroom in a modern hotel and with a ceiling low enough to induce claustrophobia, is an amalgam of two rooms previously inhabited by students. In the pedestrianised streets, traders sell tourist kitsch in makeshift stalls. Our guide informs us that children are brought into the family business at the age of four and by their teens become masterful salesmen or craftsmen. Sure enough, a young boy of nine tries to talk me into posing for a photograph with a traditional Uzbek fur hat for the princely amount of 5,000 sum (S$0.50). Uzbekistan today Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, when it gained independence. It wears its Communist past conspicuously, if unconsciously. Service is generally perfunctory, and a customer mindset seems alien to the country's relatively recent Marxist views. Hotels are built like Soviet complexes – large, angular, neon-lit spaces – with greater focus on grandeur than comfort. At our Samarkand lodging, the curtains are secured shut, with daylight allowed in only after a technician with a ladder has been summoned. Not difficult to imagine the previous guests being politburo members involved in clandestine operations. The food is hearty and easy on the Asian palate. Meat on skewers – shashliks – are the main feature, along with beef and vegetable dumplings. The national dish, plov, is a flavourful rice stew with beef and carrots. It is such a source of community pride that T-shirts declaring 'all you need is plov' are sold everywhere. Plov, a rice stew with beef and carrots, is the national dish. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO We're told that Samarkand locals see every foreigner as an opportunity to make a quick buck. The fruit seller at the local market tries to flog his damaged apricots off – but little does he know that I had been taught to haggle at wet markets from the age of six. A young taxi driver, piloting a relic of a car with doors falling off their hinges, tries to stiff us on the fare. By then, we had become accustomed to the Uzbeks' mercantile ways and negotiated a price handily, despite not being able to speak each other's language. Uzbekistan will soon be on all sophisticated travellers' bucket lists. PHOTO: STEFANIE YUEN THIO Uzbekistan is among the few destinations left in the world with so much undiscovered and mesmerising history. It will soon be on all sophisticated travellers' bucket lists. We're glad we got there before the country experiences its next inevitable invasion – this time by a digital horde of Instagram influencers and TikTok trendsetters.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Moving chess pieces with just his eye, Abbas wins hearts, games with a smile
Panaji: They all wait eagerly for that smile. Seated beside Eshmuratov Abbas, his father holds his jaw firmly while the arbiter ensures his head stays still. Should either of them move their hand, the 30-year-old chess player from Uzbekistan finds himself distracted, and in some discomfort. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 30-year-old on a wheelchair can neither speak nor move his hands, yet when he is seated across the table facing his opponent, he counts himself as equal. In the first four rounds of the World Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities at Dona Paula, the Uzbek has proved himself in good measure by winning two games. 'I may be handicapped, on a wheelchair, but I can think and play (chess) like a healthy person,' Abbas told TOI, communicating through his father Berdimurat, who used an iPad to type the message and then Google translate to ensure that the right message — from his son — was conveyed. 'I am happiest playing chess, it gives me a lot of joy.' For the first two days of the 24th World IPCA (International Physically Disabled Chess Association) Individual Chess Championship here, Abbas has been the cynosure of all eyes as his father carries him into the hall. Many have circled around the table trying to figure out how the player uses eye-retina movements to control the board. When it's time for Abbas to make a move, he simply looks at his father — facing a wall with the board behind him — and communicates through his eye-retina movement. Once the father notes what move Abbas wants to play, he jots it down and hands it over to the arbiter. 'When I move the piece, I wait for Abbas' reaction,' said arbiter Sunetra Dagare. 'If what I have moved, based on the note provided by his father, is the right one, he smiles. If not, he stays still. Since the father does not understand English, sometimes it's difficult to figure out what he has written, but we've managed so far.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Thursday, Dagare held Abbas' head and made the moves through the rounds. On one occasion, the Uzbek player wanted more time, but the chief arbiter stuck to the rules and did not make an exception. He soon gave up, losing his fourth-round clash against fellow countryman Gayimnazarov Bahadir. Abbas had previously won two of the first three rounds, both victories coming against Indian opponents, Vikas Chandra and Venkatesan J. FM Venkata Krishna Karthik proved too strong in the second round. Abbas was born with a disability and has been on a wheelchair for as long as he can remember, his father said. He cannot speak, or move his hands, but when he plays chess, the joy on his face is there for all to see. He took to chess 10 years ago and has grown in confidence with every tournament. 'Football is the other sport he follows closely on television,' his father said. A big fan of Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, and now Spanish wonder boy Lamine Yamal, Abbas is a strong Barcelona supporter. He also cheered when Uzbekistan became the first ever Central Asian nation to qualify for the football World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Qatar in their final group game last month. 'Sometimes, I find it difficult to understand what he is trying to convey through his eye-retina movement. I then type the message on the phone or iPad and wait for his smile,' said Abbas' father. When Berdimurat lifted his son and walked into the hall for the first time, almost everyone was close to tears. Then, that smile changed it all.
Euronews
a day ago
- Sport
- Euronews
Kurash kombat: An ancient sport lands a blow in the heart of France
There's no place to hide once you step forward to fight on the gilam, so fittingly the International Kurash Tournament took place in the open air at the Emile Anthoine Stadium, right beneath one of the Eiffel Tower, one of world's most famous landmarks. For those who gathered athletes, diplomats, sports leaders and curious Parisians, it soon became clear - this was not just about medals. The opening ceremony began with athletes parading under their national flags as the anthem of Uzbekistan played across the square. Among the dignitaries, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to France, Nodir Ganiev, was the first to address the audience describing the competition as 'a vivid example of friendly relations, cultural exchange and sports diplomacy between the two nations'. Moments later, Mohammad Reza Nassiri, Secretary General of the International Kurash Association, spoke of a turning point for the sport: 'A positive move forward for the development of Kurash worldwide'. The night Paris discovered Kurash As the evening progressed, the crowd around the mat grew thicker, bathed in the glow of the Eiffel Tower's lights. For many in attendance, it was their first time seeing Kurash. 'I expected to see Greco‑Roman wrestling,' admitted Maxime Boyer, a representative of Toulouse's city hall, still surprised after watching several bouts. 'Instead, I discovered a discipline closer to judo but with its own soul. It's a beautiful image, a thousand‑year‑old Uzbek tradition showcased in one of France's most symbolic places'. British coach Paul Sawyer was equally taken in: 'I've travelled the world, but I've never been to an event under such a historic background. Europe was a little behind Asia in embracing Kurash, but now the ball is rolling', he said. The matches themselves were electric. Four weight categories: men's -90 kg and +90 kg, women's -70 kg and +70 kg, each brought its own stories. France, as host nation fielded four athletes in every class, ready to challenge Uzbekistan's champions. In the heavyweight division, Sherali Juraev from Uzbekistan battled Dutch contender Ansah Ferdinand in a semi-final that was decided in the dying seconds. Juraev won, and then went on to face French athlete Cédric Benjamin in the final. Juraev's clean victory sealed his reputation and the gold medal. In the -90 kg class, Alikhon Nodirov of Uzbekistan fought his way through every bout to claim the title. On the women's side, the contests showed Kurash's reach beyond Central Asia. Britain's Nun Chloe Jessica was unstoppable in +70 kg, while in -70 kg, the Netherlands' Nayome rose to the top. Each winner left the mat with a diploma, a cash prize and crucial ranking points for the WSP International Tournament, but perhaps more importantly, with the respect of a new audience. Dreams that stretch beyond Paris Kurash has been practiced for more than 3,500 years, yet its ambitions are firmly in the future. 'This tournament, in front of the Eiffel Tower where the 2024 Olympics were held, shows we're ready for the next step', said Bakhtiyor Kadirov, First Deputy Chairman of the Kurash Federation of Uzbekistan. 'Our goal is to see Kurash in the Olympic Games'. Winner Sherali Juraev, holding his medal shared the same view: 'Today we demonstrated the strengths of our national wrestling. We hope to see Kurash on the Olympic stage in the future, and we are grateful to France for the warm reception'. More than medals Even after the final whistle and as the crowd began to leave, the atmosphere endured. The notes of Uzbek music from the opening night hung in the air, while athletes and fans lingered, discussing moves, tactics and the unexpected grace of a sport many were seeing for the first time. For three days, on a mat laid out beneath the Eiffel Tower, that bridge was alive. And for many watching, it was only the beginning of Kurash's journey into the global spotlight.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Sandakan Islamic Centre 66% completed, targets December opening
Walter and architect Dr Meor Zawari Hassan (left) presenting the design and finishes for the Sandakan Islamic Centre's main prayer hall.-Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (July 24): The Sandakan Islamic Centre project, now 66% complete, is expected to be fully finished by the end of December this year. Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson stated that the council is committed to completing this modern complex — inspired by Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman — by year-end, making it ready for use during next year's Hari Raya prayers. 'We are scheduling completion by the end of this year, ideally before year-end, so it can be fully operational for next year's Hari Raya. Our primary target is for the Sandakan Islamic Centre to be inaugurated and fully functional by Hari Raya 2026,' he explained. Walter added that the centre will feature designs, motifs and finishes from Uzbekistan, adapted to incorporate Sabah's local motifs. 'Progress has been very positive thus far, which is why we sought approval from His Excellency Tun Musa Aman for specific motifs, designs and finishes. Tun requested the incorporation of certain elements in key sections of the centre — particularly the prayer area, main hall and VIP waiting area — blending Uzbek designs with local Sabah motifs and styles,' he told the media after paying a courtesy visit to Tun Musa at Istana Seri Kinabalu today. Meanwhile, Tun Musa expressed profound satisfaction in a statement on Thursday over the encouraging progress of the Sandakan Islamic Centre, which will become a significant landmark for Islamic development in Sabah's east coast. He noted that the project will not only serve as a centre for worship and education but also foster unity among Sabah's multiethnic and multireligious communities through inclusive and harmonious outreach. 'I extend my appreciation to all involved, especially the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) and the state government, for their commitment to community development and societal well-being. May the Sandakan Islamic Centre become a symbol of spiritual progress and unity in Sabah,' the statement read. Construction of the RM60 million Sandakan Islamic Centre began in 2017 on a 5.2-hectare site at Jalan Sungai Kayu, Sandakan, but faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and political instability in Sabah. Upon completion, the facility will include a kindergarten, tahfiz centre, administrative offices for JHEAINS, MUIS (Sabah Islamic Religious Council), and Baitulmal (Islamic Treasury), a multipurpose hall, and a prayer hall accommodating over 1,000 worshippers.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Lee seeks stronger ties in calls with German, Uzbek leaders
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Germany and Uzbekistan, his office said, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. During his call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Lee highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations. Merz agreed, noting that Germany and South Korea are important partners that share the core values of democracy, human rights and free trade. The two leaders also agreed on the hope of meeting at the earliest opportunity. In his conversation with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Lee expressed his hope to elevate the "special strategic partnership" between South Korea and Uzbekistan. Mirziyoyev reciprocated by saying he holds a "special affection" for South Korea and wishes to see the relationship continue to grow. The two also acknowledged their countries' successful and practical cooperation in various sectors, including infrastructure and transportation. Lee requested Mirziyoyev pay special attention to the difficulties South Korean companies face while operating in Uzbekistan. (Yonhap)
