Khyzr Minaret

One of the few remaining ancient structures in Sayram is the Khyzr Minaret. Chronicles recount that this minaret was once part of the Khydyr Paygambar Mosque, a modest yet historically and culturally significant complex. Over the centuries, natural forces and time erased most of the mosque; by the 1920s, only an underground chamber and the partly crumbled minaret survived. During the Soviet era, even the underground room disappeared. However, after Kazakhstan gained independence, the foundations of the Khydyr Paygambar Mosque were uncovered through archaeological efforts.

The mosque was named after the prophet Khizr (also known as Khidr or Kydyr), referenced in the 18th sura of the Quran as a companion of the prophet Musa (Moses). Some legends even depict Khizr as an associate of Alexander the Great. In Persian tradition, Khizr is revered as the protector of seafarers, while in Turkish culture, he is associated with spring and renewal. Among Muslims, it is believed that Khizr may appear in the guise of a traveler or beggar, encouraging a tradition of offering hospitality to all, regardless of appearance or social standing. In Kazakh culture, the saying «Қырықтың бірі – Қыдыр» (translated as «One out of forty will be Kydyr») reflects this belief.

Through the years, the Khyzr Minaret has withstood the elements and now serves as a site of pilgrimage. Originally standing at 10.5 meters, the minaret has since weathered to around five meters. Ethnographer Alexander Geyns, in his 1866 travel journal Journey to Turkestan, described the Khyzr Mosque, which he had visited in its intact state. Geyns’ notes include the legend of Khizr retreating to this site for contemplation of Allah’s greatness, where he stayed in seclusion for sixty years, and was later taken to heaven alive after many more years of life. Tradition holds that each Friday at dusk, Khizr visits the burial sites of his parents—his mother Bibi Giyas Ana and his father Silyk Khodja—to honor their memory.

The minaret, constructed in the 19th century, once soared to nearly 11 meters, though now it stands a bit shorter. Photographs from the 1960s show a damaged dome, which has since been restored. The original masonry remains preserved up to a height of five meters. Inside, a spiral staircase allowed the muezzin to ascend for the call to prayer. The minaret’s top section is adorned with patterned brickwork, featuring open windows that encircle the summit, lending an air of elegance to this cherished relic.

Today, the Khyzr Minaret is located in the Sayram neighborhood near School No. 107, where it continues to attract pilgrims and history enthusiasts alike.