Mihrab project
The team drew inspiration from the Mihrab found in one of Samarkand's most prominent architectural complexes: the historic mausoleum of Shakhi Zinda. The choice is particularly significant as it aims to create a symbolic connection between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.
Shakhi Zinda, translating as "The Living King" or "The Living King's Place," is a necropolis and mausoleum complex dating back to the 11th to 12th centuries. The name is linked to a legendary cousin of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), Kusam ibn Abbas, who arrived in Samarkand in 676 AD and is believed to have been interred here. Local legend has it that Kusam ibn Abbas miraculously survived his own funeral, giving rise to the name "The Living King."