Aulie-Ata Mosque

Strolling down Taraz’s central Tole Bi Street, you’ll come upon the Aulie-Ata Mosque, a Sunni Muslim mosque with a rich history. In 1856, Taraz was renamed “Aulie-Ata” (meaning “Holy Grandfather” in Kazakh) in honor of Karakhan, the founder of the Karakhanid dynasty. The mosque was originally called the Yunus-Bai Mosque (Kazakh: Жүніс бай мешіті), named after Kali Yunus Mayusulov, a prominent local philanthropist who funded its construction. Yunus-Bai, as he was commonly known, entrusted the project to master builder Seydulla Khoja. The primary construction took place between 1904 and 1906 (other sources cite 1902–1906), although the mosque officially opened only in 1913.

In the early Soviet years, the mosque was repeatedly closed and reopened. During the devastating famine of the 1930s, it was converted into a grain storage facility and later used as military barracks. However, in 1943, it was returned to the faithful. In an extraordinary act of patriotism during World War II, mosque congregants raised funds to purchase a tank for the Red Army. Restoration work was undertaken between 1973 and 1974, and in 1998–1999, the mosque underwent another comprehensive restoration led by architect Nurlibek Bayekeev. Upon reopening, it was renamed the Aulie-Ata Mosque, in honor of Karakhan and the city’s historical name. Aulie-Ata Mosque served as the spiritual heart of Taraz’s Muslim community until 2007, when the Hibatullah at-Tarazi Mosque opened nearby.

The original mosque complex included a library, bathhouse, madrasa, and an office for the imam. With dimensions of 27 by 12 meters, the mosque’s upper structure is supported by 18 wooden beams. Visitors enter through an arched gate flanked by two tall stelae. The one-story rectangular building is divided into southern and northern sections, with the main prayer hall located in the southern part.

In 2021, the mosque underwent extensive restoration, preserving its historical significance and renewing its role as a cherished landmark.