Theme: Samarkand Plan: Etymology History Geography People

Religion
Islam
Islam entered Samarkand in the 8th century, during the invasion of the Arabs in Central Asia (Umayyad Caliphate). Before that, almost all the inhabitants of Samarqand were Zoroastrians, many Nestorians and Buddhists also lived in the city. After the seizure of Samarqand, the Arabs began to convert the inhabitants of the city to Islam, and began to kill those who did not submit. Tens of thousands of Zoroastrians and members of other religions who refused to convert to Islam were killed. Some of them managed to escape from Samarqand to other regions, mainly to the East, Northeast and Southeast. It was at this time that almost all Zoroastrian, Nestorian and Buddhist temples and holy places were destroyed.
Starting from the 8th century, Muslim mosques, madrasahs and minarets began to be built in Samarkand, in the era of the entry of Samarqand into the states of Abbasid Caliphate, Samanid Empire, Kraakhanid Khanate, Khwarazm Empire, Timurid Empire, Khanate of Bukhara and Emirate of Bukhara. Until today, many ancient Muslim mosques, madrasas, minarets and mausoleums have been preserved in Samarqand. In Samarqand is the shrine of Imam Bukhari. He Islamic scholar, authored the hadith collection known as Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the most authentic (sahih) hadith collections. He also wrote other books such as Al-Adab al-Mufrad. Also in Samarqand is the shrine of Imam Maturidi, the founder of Maturidism. Also in Samarqand is the mausoleum of the prophet Daniel, which is revered in Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Most of the inhabitants of Samarqand are Muslims, mostly Sunni (mostly Hanafi) and Sufism. Sunnis are almost all Tajiks, Uzbeks and Samarqandian Arabs living in Samarkand. Approximately 80-85% of Samarqand Muslims are Sunni. There are also a lot of Atheists among those peoples in Samarqand, as well as those who have converted to other religions. Also a lot of very secular people.

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Imam Bukhari Shrine

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Imam Maturidi Shrine

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Ruhabad Mausoleum

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Nuriddin Basir Shrine

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Khoja Daniyar Mausoleum