Turkestan: Proposal Made to Safeguard Historical City

Majilis deputy Ardak Nazarov believes drinking alcohol should be prohibited in sacred Turkestan, Orda reports.

He expressed his opinion during the discussion of the draft law “On the special status of the city of Turkestan.”

If we were to ban drinking alcohol in Turkestan, selling it, walking the streets intoxicated... After all, Turkestan is a spiritual capital, all Kazakhs should draw spirituality from here. Our ancestors, saints, and biys rest here. Tomorrow, many guests from abroad will arrive here, and if our people meet them intoxicated, it will be a disgrace. Therefore, within the framework of this law, is it possible to ban alcohol, declaring Turkestan a city without alcohol, a spiritual city? said Ardak Nazarov.

Deputy Akim of the Turkestan region Beisenbay Tazhibayev responded that the region has already implemented the “Village without Alcohol” project.

Now other regions are also joining in and supporting this initiative. There was also a discussion in various formats. Of course, many opinions arise on this issue. This issue is relevant and appropriate. It will be considered within the framework of legislative norms, answered Beisenbay Tazhibayev.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov presented a report on the draft law.

During the development of the draft law, we studied the experience of England, Italy, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and other countries in preserving historical monuments, said Nurlan Baibazarov at the Majilis plenary session.

The draft law includes:

• Creation of an archaeological monument reserve of the city of Turkestan.
• Reimbursement of part of the costs from the budget for masters in national handicrafts.
• Vesting the function of the Akimat of the city of Turkestan in the seizure and provision to private developers of the right of temporary free land use for the construction of state social facilities.
• Restrictions on construction around the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi to preserve its uniqueness.

In particular, at a distance of one hundred meters from the boundary of the mausoleum’s security zone, the construction of objects more than seven meters high, as well as those incompatible with historical monuments in terms of scale, color and building materials, is not permitted, added Nurlan Baybazarov.

Later, on the sidelines of the Majilis, journalists asked whether this would affect small and medium businesses in the city.

I believe that any restrictions should be approached in a balanced manner. It is clear that there is an area where holy places are located, a mausoleum, and so on... The Akimat is given powers to monitor construction there and so on. But the city is large, so I think the issue here is not about a total ban on everything. Perhaps there will be places that are visited the most - religious places, Baibazarov said.

He emphasized that the bans could affect “only revered places.”

In general, there are other places in the city. It is clear that people have preferences. If foreigners come, they should also have the opportunity to relax the way they are used to. I think there will be places where all this will be allowed,he added.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova, post 2