UZBEKISTANI COMMUNITY OF TORONTO

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Every year on March 21, the day of the Nawruz celebration (Persian New Year), representatives of the Uzbekistani community of Toronto gather with family and friends to prepare the ancient dish sumalak, the slow collective stirring of which symbolizes the spirit of cooperation and patience. One of the gathering places for such community meetings has become the home of Dr. Nodira Yuldasheva, a successful entrepreneur and founder of the Uzbek Community Canada organization. Over time, this cozy home tradition of celebrating Nawruz has grown into an annual spring festival, celebrated by the organization and accompanied by national dances, music, and dishes.

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Uzbekistani community in Canada numbers about 4000 individuals[1], mainly represented by Uzbek, Tajik and Russian ethnicities. Following the occupation of Central Asian territories by the Russian Empire, and during the Soviet Union times, the Russian language began to be used in Uzbekistan alongside Uzbek. Nowadays most Uzbekistanis are fluent both in Uzbek and Russian languages. 

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After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, the first immigrants from Uzbekistan to Canada were predominantly students, young professionals and businessmen. Since Uzbekistan proclaimed its independence, English has been taught in all schools across the country. As a result, the younger generation of Uzbekistan has gained the opportunity to apply to universities in English-speaking countries, including Canada. In 2024 a former student from Uzbekistan, Rakhmat Sobirov, who is now the founder of a legal firm in Toronto, contributed to the educational opportunities of the community by launching an annual scholarship to support people from Central Asia enrolled in the LLM program at the University of Ottawa.

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Today, Uzbekistanis in Toronto are employed in various fields such as medicine, education, law, and construction.

 

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Places to Go

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The most popular Uzbek dish plov (or pilav), which is made from rice, meat and julienne carrots, as well as traditional Uzbek bread and samosas baked in a clay oven (tandoor) are prepared by catering company Plovtime, tel. (647) 764-9069.

 

The restaurant CHAIHANA, 1000 Finch Ave W, Toronto, ON M3J 2V5, tel. (416) 650-1973, serves plov and meat dishes such as shashlik (kebabs), beshbarmak (a Central Asian dish made from dough and meat), and chebureki (deep-fried turnovers with ground beef and onion filling).

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Puff Samosa, 30 Bertrand Ave Unit A3, Toronto, ON M1L 2P5, tel. (416) 755-2222, is a small bakery established by Uzbek people that offers to visitors traditional Uzbek and Central Asian food. Their menu includes various Central Asian dishes, among them are Uzbek samosas with four types of fillings and manti (large, steamed dumplings with ground beef and onions filling).

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The achik-chuchuk salad, which is a staple at any Uzbek feast and is simply made with tomatoes and onions is served in all Uzbek restaurants in Toronto.

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Kalyna, 800 Steeles Ave W, Thornhill, tel. (905) 482-3382, is a Russian store opened in 2001 by Tatiana Jsmailova, a native of Uzbekistan. Among products related to Uzbek culture are porcelain "pakhta" ("cotton"), kurpa (traditional Uzbek textile mattress with cotton filling, intended for sleeping and seating guests during meals and rest), cookware for making plov, Uzbek souvenirs.

 

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Religious Centers, Schools and Other Institutions

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Most representatives of Uzbekistani community are Muslims. Some members, particularly those of Russian ethnicity, practice Orthodox Christianity. 

• The Uzbek Community Mosque, located at 1101 Finch Ave W, North York, ON M3J3L6, is expected to be opened in 2024. The mosque was established by the AJR Islamic Foundation, supported by the Uzbek Community Canada organization, and funded through generous donations from community members.

• The Creative Development Center "Pochemuchka”,  4544 Dufferin Street Suite 205, Toronto Ontario M3H 5X2 , tel. (647) 297-1251 opened in Toronto in December 1999. It originated from the Early Development School "Pochemuchka" in Tashkent, established in 1988. Marking its 10th anniversary, four teachers from Tashkent moved to Toronto. Over the years, new highly qualified teachers joined the team, significantly expanding the range of courses and programs offered.

Founder: Svetlana Azarova.[2]

 

 

Organisations

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• Uzbek Community Canada, 108- 2100. Finch. Ave. West, Toronto, ON M3N2Z9, e-mail: uzbekcomcanada@gmail.com, tel. (647)890-2375. Founded in 2021 and functioning under the leadership of Dr. Nodira Yuldasheva, the Uzbek Community Canada is one of the first nonprofit organisations of Uzbekistani Community. Its mission is to foster community ties and provide support for newcomers from Uzbekistan. The organization is deeply involved in the social lives of its members, hosting community gatherings, celebrating national holidays, and organizing the raising of the Republic of Uzbekistan's flag. The Uzbek Community Canada collaborates closely with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States of America in Washington, working together on various cultural and community initiatives to better support the Uzbekistani diaspora. 
  One of organisation’s signature events, the annual Navruz multicultural festival, draws over 300 guests, including representatives from various cultural communities in Toronto, and members of the Canadian and Uzbekistani governments.

 

• The AJR Islamic Foundation, 3 Ellen Street, Mississauga, ON L5M 1R8, e-mail: info@ajrcanada.com. Established in 2021, the AJR Islamic Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting the Central Asian community. The foundation provides a wide range of cultural and social activities, along with wedding and funeral services in accordance with Islamic traditions. Additionally, the AJR Islamic Foundation offers free educational courses for children, including lessons in Uzbek and Tajik languages and Quranic studies.
  Founders and Board of Directors:  Mehriddin Gadoev, Abdusalom Abdukadirov, Khurshid Ganiyev, Ilhomjon Kasymov, Abduaziz Ahadov.

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Holidays and Celebrations 
 

• Ramadan Hayit (Eid al-Fitr) marks the end of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, which lasts for 30 days. 

•  Kurban Hayit (Eid al-Adha), one of the most significant holidays in the Islamic world, marks the end of the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Preparations for both Ramadan Hayit and Kurban Hayit begin on the day before the holiday, known as "Arafa." On this day, Uzbek families prepare traditional pastries such as "kush-tili," "bugirsok" (fancy pastry balls), "orama," and "chak-chak" (straws and nuts in sugar). In the evening, each family cooks festive plov, which they share with neighbors. The plov is served in a large ceramic bowl (kosa) and is often decorated with pastries on top.[3]

• NEW YEAR’S is celebrated according to Gregorian calendar on January 1st. The New Year celebration on January 1st was adopted during the Soviet era and has continued to be observed after Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991.[4]The Uzbek Community Canada hosts an annual New Year celebration, featuring a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and entertainment by Santa Claus for children and adults.

• The birthday of the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, is annually commemorated by the Uzbek Community Canada organization on one of the days during the second week of January. The memory of President Karimov is honored with a moment of silence, the recitation of the Quran, and a potluck lunch where community members share dishes and stories.

• International Women's Day - March 8.  The idea to create an International Women’s Day belongs to Clara Zetkin, a communist activist and advocate for women's rights. However, there was not fixed day for this holiday until women strike in Russia on 8 March of 1917. After proclaiming independence Uzbekistanis preserved the tradition to celebrate International Women’s Day by honoring women with congratulations and gifts.[5]

• Nawruz on March 21 marks the Persian New Year and the beginning of spring. Sumalak (a wheat bran pudding) is tradional dish cooked for Nawruz. Sumalak gets its distinct sweet flavor from sprouted wheat grains. These grains are soaked, allowed to sprout, then ground into a paste. The paste is mixed with water and cooked slowly for 24 hours, resulting in a rich and sweet porridge. Some Uzbeks believe the name "sumalak" means "30 angels," inspired by a legend where angels helped create a nutritious porridge for a poor mother and her sons using only wheat, flour, water, and seven stones. Another theory suggests the name derives from the old Turkish word "suma," meaning "swollen wheat." Preparing sumalak involves continuous stirring for several hours, making it a communal activity where family and friends gather to help with the cooking.[6] [ZM1] 

• Independence Day is celebrated on September 1. It commemorates the country's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
  In celebration of Independence Day, the Uzbek Community Canada organization arranges an annual lighting display of Niagara Falls in the vibrant colors of the Uzbek flag. The festivities also feature a grand car parade.

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Media
 

• The television program "Budte Zdorovi" (Stay Healthy) broadcast on the RTVi channel, the Russian Illusion channel, and the Canada Plus YouTube channel, features episodes on various medical topics. Dr. Nodira Yuldasheva, who worked as a cardiologist in Uzbekistan and now owns several clinics in Toronto, is invited to the program as a guest speaker to share her knowledge on maintaining health, preventing diseases, and other relevant issues. The episode with Dr. Nodira airs once every three months.

• Radio Nova, 4789 Yonge St, Toronto Unit 805, Toronto ON M2N 0G3, email: info@radionovatoronto.ca. A car radio channel that releases a series of detailed interviews with Dr. Nodira Yuldasheva since 2010. Dr. Nodira Yuldasheva's interviews are broadcast online once a month, giving listeners the opportunity to call in and ask her questions live.

 

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Prominent Torontonians
 

• Nodira Yuldasheva, former cardiologist from Uzbekistan, entrepreneur, founder of cardiology clinics and Uzbek Community Canada organisation. 
  Cardiology clinics: 
  The Healthy Way Mdc Inc., 1120 Finch Avenue West, Suite 106, tel. (416) 667-8498,
  The Healthy Way Cardiology Centre, 1120 Finch Avenue West, Suite 105, tel. (416) 667-8498,
  Bramalea Cardiology Centre, 501-18 Kensington RoadBrampton, tel. (905) 497-8177,
  Advanced Cardiology Inc.,16700 Bayview Ave, Newmarket ON L3X 1W1, tel. (289) 803-2959,
  Yul Health Inc., Specialist and Family Medicine, 1120 Finch Ave West Suite 306. Toronto. ON. M3J3H7, tel.+1 416 665 0550,

• Aziza Yuldasheva, MD CFPC,DABFM at Yul Health Inc., 1120 Finch Ave West Suite 306. Toronto. ON. M3J3H7, tel. +1 416 665 0550.

• Orzu Yuldasheva, MD ABIM at Advanced Cardiology Inc., 16700 Bayview Ave, Newmarket ON L3X 1W1, tel. (289) 803-2959.

• Umida Burkhanova, MD, Cardiologist, ABIM at The Healthy Way Mdc Inc, 1120 Finch Avenue West, Suite 106, tel. (416) 667-8498.

• Rakhmat Sobirovs, lawyer founder of Sobirovs Law Firm, 333 Bering Avenue, Unit 800, Toronto ON M8Z 3A8, tel. ( 647) 699 7224.

• Feruza Djamalova, Business Immigration lawyer, Sobirovs Law Firm, 333 Bering Avenue, Unit 800, Toronto ON M8Z 3A8, tel. ( 647) 699 7224.

• Pazliddin Kobilov, MD, dentist, founder of KMA Dental clinic, 797 Princess St 100 Kingston ON K7L 1G1 CA, tel.(844) 989-1636.

• Sardor Ibragimov, MD, dentist, founder of Temiskaming Dental Centre, 100 Whitewood Ave New Liskeard, New Liskeard ON P0J 1P0, (705) 628-3685.

• Mehriddin Gadoev, Abdusalom Abdukadirov, Khurshid Ganiyev, Ilhomjon Kasymov, Abduaziz Ahadov founders of the AJR Islamic Foundation, 3 Ellen Street, Mississauga, ON L5M 1R8, e-mail: info@ajrcanada.com.

• Usmon Boron, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto, received his PhD from the University of Toronto in 2022. He has taught courses on religion, secularism, and the Islamic tradition at McGill University, University of Toronto, and Toronto Metropolitan University.

• Svetlana Arapova, founder of the Creative Development Center "Pochemuchka”,  4544 Dufferin Street Suite 205, TORONTO ONTARIO M3H 5X2 , tel. (647) 297-1251.

• Tatiana Jsmailova founder of store Kalyna, 800 Steeles Ave W, Thornhill, tel. (905) 482-3382.

 

 

[1] [1] Census Profile, 2016 Census - Canada [Country] and Canada [Country] (statcan.gc.ca)

[2] http://www.pochemuchka.ca/

[3] Kurban Hayit: Festival of Sacrifice Eid al-Adha in Uzbekistan (advantour.com)

 

[5] International Women's Day 2022: History, marches and celebrations (bbc.com)

[6] Sumalak - Gastro Obscura (atlasobscura.com)

 [ZM1]Information about Navruz celebration by Uzbek Community is in the Uzbek Community Canada paragraph.