The US Embassy in Turkmenistan arranged the ceremony of awarding the winners of the grant programmes of the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. This year the financial support was awarded to two projects presented by the Turkmen specialists. These are the project designed by the Institute of History under the Cabinet of Ministers on conservation and restoration of the Ismamut Ata Mausoleum in the Dashoguz Velayat and the project designed by the National Department of Protection, Study and restoration of the Cultural and Historical Monuments on the archeological research and strengthening works on the Mashat-Ata Mosque-Mausoleum (Shir-Kabir) in ancient Dehistan in the territory of the Balkan Velayat.

This unique monument built in X century is the oldest extant Muslim mosques in the territory of Turkmenistan. Over many centuries it was an object of pilgrimage and a holy place for the tomb of Sufi sheikh Ali ibn Sukkari. After numerous repairs and reworks done over many centuries only one mihrab of extremely beauty in the interior of the central domed hall was preserved in its original form. The proportions of the mosque, once decorative appearance of its interior allow the European and American art experts to place it among the earliest examples of classical Islamic architecture in Central Asia.

US Charge d'Affaires a.i. to Turkmenistan Sylvia Curran presented the winners the letters of congratulation. Then the winners made brief presentations of on the projects. The representatives of the national establishments specialized in preservation of cultural heritage, scientists and journalists attended the ceremony.