Nur Ghasyr mosque, Central mosque in Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Nur Ghasyr is a mosque in Aktobe featuring a symmetrical design with four minarets at its corners, each standing 63 meters tall, and a central dome rising 40 meters high. The main prayer hall seats about 3,000 worshippers, while a separate section upstairs for women provides space for an additional 500 people.
The building was completed through four years of construction financed by community donations and inaugurated in September 2008. It was developed as a response to the community's desire to create a major religious gathering place.
The mosque serves as the main gathering place for the Muslim community in the region, where people come for daily prayers and religious learning. You can experience the rhythm of worshippers arriving throughout the day, particularly during prayer times when the spaces fill with activity.
The site is open to visitors, but remember to remove your shoes before entering prayer areas and wear appropriate clothing that covers shoulders and knees. The best times to visit are outside of the five daily prayer times, when the spaces are less crowded.
The architectural design comes from Aivar Sattarov, who also created the plans for the Central Mosque of Kazan. This connects the building to other major religious structures across the region.
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