Central Mosque, Almaty

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Central Mosque, Almaty

The Central Mosque of Almaty was constructed over six years, from 1993 to 1999, on the site of the former Tatar Mosque, which dated back to the late 19th century. The architects of the project were S. Baimagambetov, K. Zharilgapov, and Z. Sharapiyev.

This gleaming white structure is rectangular in shape and can accommodate up to 7,000 worshippers. White marble was used in its construction, giving the mosque its radiant appearance. The building is crowned by five minarets, the tallest of which, the main minaret, stands at 47 meters. This minaret is connected to the mosque by a two-story passageway.

Originally, the mosque’s dome, which rises to a height of 36 meters, was painted a bright blue. However, during renovations in 2008-2009, it was decided to replace the dome with a more striking and distinctive design. The new dome was covered with ceramic tiles adorned with intricate plant motifs, giving the mosque a resemblance to the mausoleums of Central Asia. For instance, the dome of the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is created in a similar style. Today, the Central Mosque’s main dome is a shimmering gold. The two-tiered drum that supports the dome is inscribed with verses from the Quran.

The main entrance to the mosque is designed in the traditional form of a pishtaq—a rectangular portal with a pointed arch. The exterior of the pishtaq is decorated with Arabic calligraphy and Kazakh ornamental patterns. The wooden doors are carved with intricate designs in the national style. On the mosque’s southwest side is the mihrab, a niche indicating the direction of Mecca, shaped as a pentagon.

The mosque is equipped with all the necessary modern amenities. The grounds around the mosque are landscaped with grass and paved walkways, and include a playground and a shop offering a variety of Islamic goods such as books, perfumes, souvenirs, prayer rugs, and more. The mosque also runs special classes for the hearing-impaired.

The Central Mosque is listed as a monument of local historical and cultural significance.

Address: 16 Pushkin Street, Almaty.