@Halal November/December 2022 | Page 5

November-December . 2022 | @ Halal

Cover Story

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than 90 countries enjoy a visa-free regime . Malaysian citizens can travel without a visa for 30 days . An electronic-visa system has also been introduced for additional 57 countries .
“ Today , Uzbekistan offers worry-free travel after the long pandemic , which means borders are open , no need for PCR , covid vaccination and quarantine . Starting in November , Uzbekistan Airways re-launched its regular flights between KL and Tashkent . The flights to Uzbekistan are being operated on A321Neo and Boeing 787 Dreamlineron Wednesdays and Saturdays .”
Uzbekistan tourism picks up pace
Uzbekistan has ambitious plans to dramatically increase the number of foreign travellers visiting the country , including religious , cultural , food , and safari tourism . Bukhara and Samarkand International Airports also offer an Open Skies policy for foreign airlines .
“ We believe it will boost the country ’ s appeal as a transit and tourism hub by creating better and more convenient connectivity for international travellers ,” said Usmanov , adding that the country is working on making it a hub for travellers to go to or from Jeddah , calling it as an Umrah Plus package .
Considering Malaysian expertise in developing Muslim-friendly tourism , Uzbekistan aims to launch joint training programmes to develop Islamic tourism for their industry players in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan , Government of Bukhara Region and Islamic Tourism Centre ( ITC ) Malaysia .
Usmanov also revealed that from 2022 , the country would host International Ziyarah Tourism Week annually . Its first edition was held on Nov 1-5 , 2022 , welcoming representatives of public and non-government agencies of Malaysia and other countries to the historic cities of Uzbekistan .
Happening on another side of the world is an exhibition titled “ Treasures of the Oases of Uzbekistan . At the Crossroads of Caravan Routes ”, hosted by Louvre Museum in Paris , on Nov 23-Mar 6 , 2023 . Another exhibition , “ On the Road to Samarkand . Colours and Splendours of Uzbekistan ”, being held at the Arab World Institute in Paris on Nov 23-Jun 4 , 2023 .
The events will display more than 300 exhibits from nine museums in Uzbekistan . Among them are unique Islamic calligraphy , miniature art , textile , and jewellery of Uzbekistan , as well as one of the oldest Quran manuscripts in the world – the Quran of Kattalangar .
Culture and traditions related to the main traditional dish of Uzbekistan - palov ( centered in the picture ) were inscribed in UNESCO ' s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity .
more travellers over the years .
Whilst Islam originated from Saudi Arabia , Usmanov noted that Central Asia gave birth to two Islamic Golden Ages in the 9-12th centuries and 14-15th centuries , making way for Islamic Renaissance .
“ Famous scholars in Islamic theology and Law , Astronomy and Math , Humanities and Literature came to the world in this region . To name a few , Al-Khorezmi , Al-Beruni , Ibn Sina ( Avicenna ), Imam Bukhari , Imam Maturidi , Imam Termizi , and Ulughbeg .
“ Al-Khorezmi is from Khwarazm , one part of Uzbekistan . He was the scholar and scientist who invented algorithms . Ulughbeg was a prince and a great astronomer . He constructed a huge observatory , which is still in Samarkand . He made a map of stars , widely used in the Muslim world and other parts of the planet .”
As part of the cultural and spiritual legacy , one of the world ’ s oldest surviving Quranic manuscripts ( 7th century ), the Holy Quran Muskhaf of Usmon , is preserved at Hazrati Imam Ensemble in Tashkent . The manuscript is inscribed on UNESCO ’ s Memory of the World Register .
Welcoming tourists to Uzbekistan
Being a Muslim-friendly destination , Uzbekistan offers halal food , family-friendly entertainment and Muslim-friendly facilities ,
including hotels , prayer and faith-needs facilities and services .
“ Thanks to large-scale measures by the government and daily routine work undertaken by stakeholders to develop this industry , today Uzbekistan is in top-10 Muslim-friendly destinations of the world . According to the Global Muslim Travel Index 2022 ( GMTI ) announced recently by CrescentRating , Uzbekistan has shown significant progress by climbing up seven positions and ranking 9th among 138 countries ,” said Usmanov .
Uzbekistan has introduced simple visa procedures for foreign tourists to facilitate travellers keen to explore the country ’ s beauty . In particular , travellers from more
Shakhi-Zinda necropolis is one of the most picturesque monuments in Samarkand

Strengthening cooperation with Malaysia

THE YEAR 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Malaysia . Ravshan Usmanov , Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Malaysia , highlighted that Malaysia was a trustful and time-tested partner of Uzbekistan .
Uzbekistan will continue strengthening its mutually beneficial cooperation with Malaysia in three pillars – economy ( including trade and investment ), education and tourism .
“ We can see dynamic growth in our trade for the last few years . In 2021 , trade volume was US $ 75.6 million , including export from Uzbekistan to Malaysia – US $ 17.6 million , a growth of 146.4 per cent . Our country is the biggest exporter to Malaysia among Central Asian States .
“ Malaysia is our students ’ favourite destination . We managed to open dual programmes and branches of Malaysian universities in Uzbekistan and also attract Malaysian students to Uzbekistan . Previously it was vice versa ,” Usmanov shared .
In 2022 , three Malaysian scholars visited Uzbekistan under the Imam Bukhari fellowship programme . Another two students were recently selected by the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand for a graduate programme .
Developing Uzbekistan ’ s halal industry
Uzbekistan also took positive steps to develop its halal infrastructure in the last five years . In 2019 Uzbekistan became a full member of the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries ( SMIIC ), participating in different SMIIC technical committees to develop standards and prepare national specialists .
“ Uzbekistan established close partnerships with the world-recognised conformity assessment bodies such as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM ) and others . Today , the number of companies in Uzbekistan certified with world-recognised conformity assessment bodies reached 30 . The halal industry in Uzbekistan mainly develops in the tourism and food sector .”
Usmanov also revealed that Uzbekistan was in preparation to establish its halal accreditation body in the country in cooperation with JAKIM .