In agreement with the community and the decision of the elders, it was decided to raise funds — 1000 soms from each household. With this money, the imam was gifted a ticket for a 14-day pilgrimage.
Keramaev expressed his gratitude to his fellow villagers and noted that his grandfather, Zhalga Bekbolot uulu, also performed Hajj on foot and passed away in this holy city. Now, according to him, he has the opportunity to perform a minor pilgrimage (Umrah).
Kumarbek Keramaev has held the position of imam of the village of Kara-Küngöy since 2016, previously this position was held by Kachkyn Sapar uulu. Since 2024, residents have started raising funds to pay the imam's salary. In 2024, 249,000 soms were collected, while in the previous year, 246,000 soms were raised. This money was given to Keramaev as an annual salary for 2025. This year, it was decided to gift him a ticket for Umrah.
- According to local residents, Kumarbek Keramaev's grandfather, Zhalga Bekbolot uulu, was a well-known and wealthy man of his time. He held the position of a large bay (judge in the village) and was respected among his people. In 1903, at an advanced age, he set out on foot for pilgrimage to Mecca, taking with him his assistant Saadabay Atanay uulu. A year later, Saadabay returned and reported that the pilgrimage had been accepted, but Zhalga passed away in Mecca and was buried there. Currently, places associated with his name remain in Kara-Küngöy, which are called "Zhalga" and "Zhalganin korugu."
