Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has praised Uzbekistan for its role in the opening of a new mosque in Turkistan, calling the project a powerful symbol of friendship and solidarity between the Kazakh and Uzbek peoples.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, President Tokayev thanked Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Uzbek people for supporting the construction of the mosque, which was presented as a gift to the residents of Turkistan and all citizens of Kazakhstan, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

“Today, with the support of Uzbekistan, a new mosque has opened in Turkistan. I express my deep gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Uzbek people for this special contribution,” Tokayev said.

The Kazakh leader proposed naming the mosque after Miromon Ata, saying the sacred site should become a lasting symbol of unity and brotherhood between the two neighboring nations.

President Tokayev said that the mosque reflects the growing strategic partnership and cultural closeness between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at a time when cooperation across the Turkic world is rapidly expanding.

Ahead of the summit, leaders of the participating states visited the newly opened mosque, which has already become one of the symbolic highlights of the international gathering in Turkistan.