Big Sites At Monument Park In Shymkent

Bring it, Shymkent. First up, the tallest monument in Kazakhstan, the mighty Baidibek Bi. Does the grassy mound count in the overall measurement? No worries, Mr Bi doesn't need extra lift. He's honored for uniting various tribes into an identifiable country. Such a gatherer.

Next, a long parade of outdoor miniature models of various highlights in Southern Kazakhstan. Start with some rock formations, move on to some sort of 1970s disco fantasy mosque.

On a more traditional note, a model of an older mosque, classic dome and delicate wood column portico.

Power to the pyramid. A detail from the monument honoring 550 years of the endurance of the Kazakh Khanate. Lost ship. Actually, it's Noah's Ark, somehow stranded on a mountaintop in Southern Kazakhstan. Are you going to say the local bible interpretation is wrong?

Not really a monument, more like site specific art, architecture, engineering, accidental landscaping disguised as nature. Impressive effort.

Historic Muslim Sites In Namangan

A classic madrasa and a classic mausoleum are tucked into an old neighborhood of Namangan in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. Well worth a look.

Here's the pretty facade of the Mullah Kyrgyz madrasa, named after its architect, Usto Kyrgyz. Its classic lines belie its age. Built in 1910.

The Soviets closed it during their occupation. It's been recently restored and is now used as a museum, cultural center and crafts area. Care for a small chair or long tunic? Past the entrance gate, an open, octagonal courtyard. Relaxing.

Down the road from the madrasa sits the big cube mausoleum of Khodjamni Kabri. This structure is a bit older than the madrasa, built around 1720.

Inside, intricate painting, Arabic calligraphy and a dome. 

The mausoleum sits next to an active mosque, quiet before services.

The Norbutabiy Mosque And Nearby Cemetery In Kokand

One of the old highlights of Kokand is the impressive Norbutabiy Mosque and the crammed graveyard next to it. The mosque was built in the 18th century and its Madrassah is the largest in Kokand. Style-wise, the building follows traditional, Silk Road-era Islamic architecture, all tan stone with blue tile highlights.

Men only. Service letting out.

Classic looks, an intimate prayer area and an iconic dome.

The imposing facade is a bit of a ruse. While housing a mosque, services are held outside, in a courtyard beyond the front building.

Right next to the mosque is an expansive cemetery, full of elaborate tomb mounds and bigger graves. That's the Modari Khan Mausoleum in the center.

Painted ceilings and etched photographs are some of the features found around the site.

In Khan's tomb, impressive tile work with subtle restoration. Clear enough to notice, nice enough to enjoy the overall pattern.

A Quick Look At Kokand, Uzbekistan

Kokand is a decent-sized city in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. Some old Muslim landmarks still exist within the modern city.

The biggest attraction: the palace of Khudayar Khan. Incredible tile work, imposing entrance. Good for group tours. More on it later.

Typical Uzbekistan urban renewal, tearing down squat, nondescript buildings to put up a faux palace business. As a contrast, reaching back to the past with a fantasy re-creation of a Silk Road-era stop.

Something in between, a modern administrative building, designed to look traditional.

Let's go to school for a little English lesson. Learning one's "-arts," ending with something cute. In another classroom, a big mural to the big future.

More future, construction on a Mosque and surrounding complex. 

Driving To The Fergana Valley

Sarah recently took a work trip to the Fergana Valley, an area of Uzbekistan southeast of Tashkent by about three hours. The valley is the economic engine of the country both for agriculture, mostly cotton, and industry, including cranking out Chevrolets.

The drive to Fergana takes you past city sprawl, fields, through the mountains and then into the valley and its many cities. Lots to see on the way. 

The view from a restaurant in the mountain pass.

Spewing power plant. In a men's room, a place to wash one's feet before prayer.

Mountaintop advertising. No billboards - giant Hollywood Sign-like letters are the norm.

New apartment buildings, sharing a downspout. Stuff for sale at a rest stop - and plenty of it.

At a shopping stall complex, an empty space made into a prayer room.

Power poles, brown fields, haze and mountains. A company's surreal property line wall.

Mosque, under construction.

The Architecture Of Tawau

Tawau's a typical Malaysian town, heavy on the use of concrete with a sprinkling of mosques around.

City vista, receding to jungle.

Classic government buildings, sprouting from the overgrowth and a funky, curvy library. Nice carports.

Old Tawau, a 1960s concrete jungle.

Busy commercial area. The old Bandar mosque.

Inside the bigger, more modern, Al-Khauthar mosque.

Patina rising, an old apartment building and a ruined house.

Tawau is on the water, with a view of Indonesia in the distance. Stroll the promenade to see it.

Religion In Pekan

No matter the size of the town in Malaysia, chances are you're going to find temples for Hindus and Buddhists. A mosque or five. Time to check out what small Pekan has to offer.

Lie Sheng Gong Chinese temple, typical pagoda design.

Tale of two altars. On the left, the one inside Lie Sheng. On the right, a more compact example, wedged into an urban shophouse.

Selection of paper prayer slips. Choose one and throw it into the incinerator.

Hindu time, the town's small Indian temple, all recently painted. One requirement, bright.

Finally, how the dominant (and national) Malaysian religion rolls, the historic Muslim mosque.