ASTANA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim commenced his inaugural two-day official visit to Kazakhstan by visiting the Astana Grand Mosque located along the historic Silk Route here, today.
Despite the chilly and windy weather conditions, Anwar who arrived at the mosque at 2.20pm local time (5.20pm Malaysian time) was warmly welcomed by Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek and Chief Mufti of the mosque Nauryzbai Taganuly Optenov who is also the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Spiritual Administration of Muslims (MUFTYAT)
During the 20-minute visit, Anwar also joined the congregation in prayers and was briefed by Kassymbek on the construction of the mosque, which was completed in 2022 and which can accommodate approximately 235,000 worshippers.
Anwar's visit to the mosque was accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, and Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mohd Adli Abdullah.
Nursultan Nazarbayev, the long-standing ruler of Kazakhstan since its independence in 1991, took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the mosque which took place in March 2019.
The mosque, designed by Dewan Architects & Engineers, features the world's largest blue main dome standing at almost 83.2 meters high with a diameter of 62 meters.
Additionally, the four surrounding minarets, each reaching a height of 130 meters, were constructed in five separate parts representing the five pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, fasting, zakat, and pilgrimage.
Kazakhstan, the ninth largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country in the world, has a population of approximately 20 million, with over 70 percent of its population made up of Muslims.
Anwar's visit to Kazakhstan symbolises Malaysia's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan since March 16, 1992, covering various sectors such as trade, investment, higher education, tourism, halal industry, and others of mutual benefit.
Later today, the Prime Minister will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the President's Palace (Ak Orda) before the two leaders engage in a bilateral meeting for a broader discussion involving both delegations.
A Joint Statement will be signed following the meeting before the Prime Minister and the Malaysian delegation are honoured with a dinner banquet hosted by Tokayev.
Before concluding his visit tomorrow, the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Roundtable Session on trade and investment cooperation between Malaysia and Kazakhstan here.
Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov is also scheduled to attend the session, which aims to foster collaboration and partnership between companies in both countries in economic, trade, and investment sectors.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to witness the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving relevant government agencies and businesses from both sides.
Malaysia's total trade with Kazakhstan in 2023 stood at RM474.5 million (US$104.2 million), comprising RM465.6 million (US$102.2 million) being exports of Malaysian goods to Kazakhstan and RM8.9 million (US$1.9 million) being the value of imports from Kazakhstan.
Anwar who had officially visited Kyrgyzstan before arriving in Kazakhstan, will proceed with an official visit to Uzbekistan.
