We arrived at 12:47 right in the middle of the hot summer day (30 deg). I was surprised by the smooth ride and no delays either at the station or in the middle of the journey. The long journey seemed like a couple of hours to be honest. You sat, slept awhile, got up,had snacks and chitchat before long you started to prepare for disembarkation. Such a lovely ride.
Khiva gave the same story and plot. Now I understood better the plight that people portrayed. A struggle that has been manipulated until at one point they realised a better way to live and being happy like everyone else in the world. The struggle of the faithful that had been sugar coated to be useless in this modern world. The madrasahs were not destroyed or bombed down; they were abandoned. Many structures were irrepairable due to decay and rundown. The class rooms were left empty for some reason. And we all can guess what the reasons were and how they were abandoned.
The complex in Khiva was more extensive and massive. Many madrasahs used to be here and their buildings were still standing strong. The museum, the mosque and the banzaar were all used to be many madrasahs located within this locality. So once upon a time this place was busy with students and teachers; teaching and learning, until one day they disappeared.
Abu Musa alKhawarzmi was born here and studied in one of those madrasahs in Ichaan Kala. Then he went to Baghdad during Khalifah Ma’Mun and being a scholar in Baitul Hikmah. This place, Khiva, was on the ancient Silk Route, so used to be busy with traders and travellers.
Friday morning in Khiva was quiet and calm. The weather was nice under a shade with occasional breeze blew in.Our accommodation was inside Ichaan Kala; a family guest house with beautiful interior decoration. The host does not speak English but he was humble and hospitable.
The bazaar was hectic as usual; just like back home. The price of goods was not bad also. We bought caps half the price from within the fortress. Some people stared at us, some smiled and some greeted warmly. I got myself a pair of slippers for RM15.Then we hurried home for Friday prayers.
Alhamdulillah, Friday prayers were as usual. Even though we are world apart in distance; the practice of Islam is very much the same. The actual implementation varied here and there. We respect differences and Islam would be beautiful again. Many young men attended the prayers so that’s a good thing. The future looks bright here and Islam will stay as a religion of the land.
