Khast Imam Complex

Overview

The Khast Imam Complex (Hazrati Imam) is Tashkent's spiritual heart — a cluster of mosques, madrasahs, and a mausoleum around a central courtyard in the Old City. It houses the 7th-century Uthman Quran, one of the world's oldest surviving Quran manuscripts.

Highlights

• Uthman Quran: A 7th-century manuscript believed to be one of five original copies commissioned by Caliph Uthman, displayed in a climate-controlled case.
• Barak Khan Madrasah: A 16th-century madrasah with intricate tilework and a functioning Islamic library.
• Moyie Mubarek Library Museum: The museum housing the Quran alongside rare Islamic manuscripts and calligraphy.

History

The complex is named after Hazrati Imam Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, a 10th-century Islamic scholar whose mausoleum anchors the site. The area has been a center of Islamic learning since the Silk Road era. The complex was extensively renovated in the 2000s, restoring its historic grandeur.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Women should bring a headscarf; modest dress is required inside the mosques.
• Tip 2: Photography is allowed in the courtyard but prohibited near the Uthman Quran.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.