Central Mosque, Religious center in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The Central Mosque in Almaty is a rectangular domed building on an east-west axis, its walls faced with white marble and its 20-metre dome set on a two-tiered octagonal drum clad in blue tiles. A 47-metre minaret rises at the southeast corner, reached by a two-storey passage, and carved marble blocks and oak doors with national ornaments mark the main peshtak entrance.
The Central Mosque was built on the site of the Tatar Mosque, which had operated since 1890 and burned down in 1987. Its foundation was poured in 1993 and construction finished in 1999, designed by architects Sultan Baimagambetov, Zhanabay Sharapiev and Kazbek Zharylgapov. In 2001 the building was added to Almaty's state list of historical and cultural monuments.
The interior dome features hand-calligraphed Koranic verses that cover the upper walls. These inscriptions demonstrate how Islamic artistic traditions shape the visual experience inside the prayer halls.
Visitors should wear appropriate clothing and remove shoes before entering the prayer areas, with separate sections provided for different groups. The interior layout is spacious and easy to navigate, offering adequate areas for changing and preparing.
On 22 December 2006 the National Bank of Kazakhstan issued a 500-tenge proof silver coin of 925 purity, limited to 4,000 pieces, showing the mosque against the mountains. The reverse carries the Kazakh and Russian names and the mint mark of the Kazakhstan Mint.
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