​   ​​​Otyrar is the birthplace of the great thinker Abu Nasr al-Farabi, who left an indelible mark on world culture, and his followers. Science and culture have flourished here since ancient times. According to records from the 19th and 20th centuries, a mosque and a madrasah were operating in the Sarykol area (now a settlement in the Otyrar district) at the beginning of the 20th century. The Sarykol madrasah was considered a well-known educational institution of its time. Its founder and first teacher was Ospan azhi Begalyuly, who was educated in Central Asian madrasahs and in Mecca. This five-year educational institution was attended by both local and visiting students. Due to the madrasah's reputation, some wealthy residents from Akmechet moved here so their children could complete the full course of study. The Sarykol madrasah became the spiritual center of the region. Its best graduates—including Zaurbek molda, Mamyrbek molda, Abuseit molda, Akim kari, Ohap kozha, Bilyal kozha, Ospankul molda, and Nabi molda—made a significant contribution to the enlightenment, dissemination of knowledge, and spiritual development of society.