Inaugurated in 2022, the Grand Mosque of Astana stands as the largest mosque in Central Asia. In fact, outside the Middle East, few structures of its kind can rival its size. Boasting numerous 'world-best' features, the mosque caters to the predominantly Sunni Muslim population of the city and attracts numerous tourists. I spent an afternoon exploring this architectural marvel and, despite not being religious, was utterly captivated by its magnificence. Its undeniable grandeur was matched by its splendor. Let's delve deeper into what makes this Kazakh treasure so extraordinary.
The Grand Mosque of Astana is a visual feast, situated on the outskirts of the city yet visible from various vantage points. It was constructed at the behest and under the supervision of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Another mosque in the city, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, located in the heart of Kazakhstan's capital, was formerly the largest in Central Asia. However, it relinquished its title in 2019 when Tajikistan completed the Dushanbe Grand Mosque, prompting Kazakhstan to commence its own Grand Mosque project. This white, blue, and gold edifice spans over 57,000 square meters and includes four 130-meter-tall minaret towers, a colossal central dome, and 72 smaller domes. The central dome, purported to be the world's largest of its kind, measures approximately 83.2 meters in height and 62 meters in diameter. For perspective, this is just a few meters shorter than the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and over 20 meters larger in diameter than St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
The blue-capped minarets are segmented into five sections, symbolizing the five daily prayers, known as Salah. However, some interpret this as representing the five pillars of Islam—faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. To enter the mosque, one must pass through what is considered one of the tallest wooden doors in the world. Crafted from African hard iroko wood, it weighs one and a half tons and stands 12.4 meters tall. As is customary in all mosques, visitors and worshippers must remove their shoes before entering. As you traverse the ornately decorated hallways en route to the Big Hall, you'll pass by a café and several shops. I'm informed that there's even a TV studio hidden within the building's depths, though I didn't personally encounter it. The hallways' windows overlook a central courtyard, known as a Sahan. The distinctly Kazakh golden designs on the windows (mirrored on the courtyard's floor) and the contrasting white and blue building create a striking vista.
The Big Hall, designated as the men's prayer room, houses the world's largest handmade carpet. While this accolade might seem niche, it is undeniably beautiful. Women are permitted to enter this room but face certain restrictions during prayer times. Opposite the entrance to the Big Hall is the qibla wall. Qibla, an Arabic term for direction, guides worshippers in the direction of Mecca during prayers. The wall is adorned with the 99 names of Allah, illuminated in gold, and is renowned for the high number of crystals embedded within it. This wall is also visible from the women's prayer room, located on a mezzanine balcony above the men's section. From here, one can better appreciate the intricate design of the carpet. Nearly every wall within the Grand Mosque of Astana is adorned with carvings, mosaics, or gold. The swirling patterns seen on the carpet are echoed throughout the mosque, with each shape in the design holding significant meaning. Common shapes in Kazakh patterns include the ram's horn, symbolizing prosperity, kindness, and strength, and a bird, representing freedom.
What most impressed me about the Grand Mosque was the meticulous attention to detail and its grandeur. I particularly admire the classic white, turquoise, and gold color scheme that has become emblematic of mosques in this region. What felt unique and exceptional was that this modern, lavishly adorned building did not feel ostentatious and would not be out of place among more historic Islamic religious sites, such as the Registan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, constructed in the 15th-17th centuries.
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