Tashkent: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia has expressed admiration for Uzbekistan's architectural beauty, Islamic heritage and the warm hospitality of its people during her recent visit to the Central Asian nation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a post titled 'Rahmat, Uzbekistan!' dated May 7 and shared on the Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar today, Raja Zarith Sofiah described the visit as a meaningful experience filled with fond memories. She noted that, for a long time, many travelers, including herself, primarily considered Western countries as travel destinations and were not sufficiently aware of Central Asia's offerings.

The Queen remarked on returning to Malaysia with memories of Uzbekistan's hospitality and cleanliness. She highlighted the exceptional cleanliness of cities like Tashkent and Samarkand, and their beautiful flowers and public parks. Raja Zarith Sofiah was particularly impressed by the craftsmanship at Tashkent's souvenir shops, showcasing intricate wood carvings, detailed paintings, and embroidered textiles.

Her Majesty recounted her visit to the Centre for Islamic Civilisation, expressing a desire for more time to explore its exhibits. She emphasized the centre's reflection of the vast knowledge from the Islamic Golden Age. The architecture of Registan Square's main buildings in Samarkand also captivated her, particularly the mosques and madrasahs, which left a lasting impression.

Raja Zarith Sofiah shared her appreciation for the artistic talents displayed at the Imam Bukhari Complex, admiring the carved wooden pillars and the interactive museum that offered insights into Imam al-Bukhari's life and contributions. Her Majesty expressed hope of returning to Uzbekistan with her family and conveyed gratitude to the Uzbek people for their hospitality and knowledge sharing during the visit.