The Khast Imam Complex, also called Hazrati Imam, occupies a quiet square in the Old City (Eski Shahar) of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, around Zarqaynar and Qorasaroy streets in Olmazor District. The ensemble grew around the grave of Abu Bakr Muhammad Kaffal Shashi, a 10th-century Islamic jurist, theologian and poet from Shash, the medieval name for Tashkent. A mausoleum has marked the spot since the 16th century, and the area became the city's main religious precinct under the Shaybanid and later Kokand rulers.
The group today includes the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, the Barak Khan Madrasa, the Tellya Sheikh Mosque, the Muyi Muborak Library Museum and the large Hazrati Imam Mosque. The last of these is a 21st-century building completed in 2007, finished in the style of Timurid and Bukharan architecture with two tall minarets, turquoise domes and carved wooden doors. The older buildings use the classical Central Asian vocabulary of brick, glazed tile, muqarnas and painted ceilings, and the courtyards are shaded by plane and mulberry trees.
The complex is a working religious site. The Imam Ismail al-Bukhari Islamic Institute and an active mosque operate on the grounds, so visitors share the courtyards with worshippers and students. Its best-known treasure, the Uthman Quran, is kept in the adjoining Muyi Muborak Library Museum. The library also holds thousands of manuscripts and rare printed books.
The curatorial approach is largely that of an open-air architectural group rather than a single museum. Visitors walk between buildings of different centuries, and a small museum section and shops in the madrasa cells provide context. Most of the older buildings were restored in the Soviet period and again after Uzbekistan's independence in 1991. The 2007 mosque and the paving of the square were part of an ambitious redevelopment, and the result is an intact, well-maintained precinct although much of the surrounding historic mahalla was cleared. Visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and women may be asked to cover their hair when entering mosque spaces.
| Admission | Courtyards free; museum about 30,000-50,000 UZS (about $2.50-4) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, grounds open roughly 08:00-18:00; mosque interiors may close around prayer times, especially Friday midday |
| Address | Zarqaynar Street / Qorasaroy Street, Hazrati Imom mahalla, Olmazor District, Tashkent |
Why it matters
Khast Imam is the spiritual centre of Tashkent and Uzbekistan's Muslim community, built around the tomb of the 10th-century scholar Kaffal Shashi. It preserves the city's finest surviving Islamic architecture and houses one of the world's oldest Quran manuscripts.
Location
Zarqaynar Street / Qorasaroy Street, Hazrati Imom mahalla, Olmazor District, Tashkent
41.3375, 69.2411 View on map
Highlights
- Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, the 16th-century tomb of Tashkent's 10th-century scholar-saint
- Hazrati Imam Mosque with its twin minarets and turquoise domes, completed in 2007
- Tellya Sheikh Mosque, which houses the Muyi Muborak library and its Uthman Quran
- Carved wooden doors, painted ceilings and tiled facades around Khast Imam Square
Tips for visiting
- Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, and expect to remove shoes at mosque entrances.
- Visit in the morning, when the square is quiet and the light on the tilework is best.
- Avoid Friday midday, when the mosque is full for prayers and interiors may be closed to visitors.
- Combine the visit with the neighbouring Barak Khan Madrasa and the Muyi Muborak museum in one 1.5-2 hour walk.
- Courtyards are free, but the museum section charges an entry fee.
When to visit
Spring and autumn mornings are the most comfortable for walking the open courtyards. Summer afternoons are very hot, and Friday midday is busy with prayers.
Accessibility
The square and courtyards are paved and largely level, so wheelchair access is generally possible outdoors. Some historic interiors have steps and thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Khast Imam Complex take?
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours, which allows time for the square, the mausoleum, the madrasa courtyard and the Uthman Quran museum.
Is the Khast Imam Complex English-language friendly?
Signage in English is limited, but local guides at the square can explain the buildings in English. Many visitors join a guided city tour or read up beforehand.
Is the complex a working mosque?
Yes. The Hazrati Imam Mosque and an Islamic institute operate on site, so visitors are asked to dress modestly and keep quiet near prayer areas.
Can children visit the complex?
Yes. The open squares and courtyards suit families, though children should be kept quiet inside religious spaces.