From Kazakhstan to Tajikistan, to Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan, Central Asia is known for its magnificent mosques – each an architectural masterpiece in their own right.
Here are 24 majestic mosques & examples of Islamic architecture across Central Asia #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ Shah-i-Zinda, Uzbekistan
Ensemble includes mausoleums, mosques & other ritual buildings of 11-15th & 19th centuries. The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning "The living king") is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, is buried here
2/ Haji Yaqub Mosque, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
The central mosque of the capital of Tajikistan, the city of Dushanbe. It was named after Haji Yakub, a Tajik religious leader.
The mosque was founded 200 years ago and can accommodate up to 3,000 people
3/ Kalan Mosque, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Initially commissioned by Arslan Khan in 1121, however, Genghis Khan destroyed the original Friday Mosque in 1220. The Kalan Mosque & Mir-i Arab Madrasah of today were commissioned in 1515 & 1535 by Shibani Kahn's nephew Ubaydullah Khan
4/ Naryn Mosque, Kyrgyzstan
Built in 1995 by a local deputy. It is a central mosque of Naryn. The ornaments of the mosque are traditional nomadic embroideries called oymos. The blue color of the building also can indicate the shamanic background of Kyrgyz people
5/ Bibi Khanym Mosque, Uzbekistan
One of the most outstanding in the Islamic world. Built between 1399 & 1404 during the last years of the Turkic-Mongol conqueror, Timur, the Bibi Khanym mosque is riveting in its monumental scale, splendor & turquoise & blue tiles
6/ Abdulatif Sultan Mosque, Istaravshan, Tajikistan
Also known as "Kok Gumbaz," which means "Blue Dome". Named after Abdullatif - son of the famous medieval philosopher and astronomer Ulugbekavym, on whose initiative was started construction
7/ Bishkek, Mosque of Imam Sarakhsi, Kyrgyzstan
This mosque, with help from Turkey, was opened in 2018 and has the classic Turkish mosque architecture. It has a capacity of 9,000 worshippers
8/ The Barak Khan Madrassa, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The architectural complex was built in several stages, completed in 1532. It consists of a madrassa & two mausoleums attached to it. This religious educational establishment was named in honour of Tashkent ruler Navruz Ahmadkhan
9/ Gur-E-Amir Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Persian for "Tomb of the King" contains the tombs of Tamerlane, his sons, grandsons & Timur's teacher. The earliest part of the complex was built at the end of the 14th century. Renowned for its blue & turquoise tiles
10/ Sher-Dor Madrasa, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Built 1619-36, it stands opposite the Ulugh Beg Madrasa in Samarkand's Registan, a square. It was constructed by Yalangtush Bakhodur. He used a striking composition depicting two lions chasing deer
11/ The Mashkhur Jusup Mosque, Kazakhstan
Located in the center of Pavlodar. It was opened after a year of construction in 2001 and can accommodate 1,500 worshipers. The mosque was named after the Kazakh poet and historian Mashkhur Jusup
12/ Khoja Ahror Valiy Mosque, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Also known as the Jama or Dzhuma Mosque, it was built in 1451 by Sheikh Ubaydullo Khoja Akhror (1404-1490)
13/ Tilla Kari Madrasah, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Built in the 17th century as the last, largest & most embellished structure of the famed Registan Square. It's name means ‘gold-covered', referring to the lavish decoration of its domed chamber. It is covered in blue tiles
14/ Sulaiman-Too Mosque, Kyrgyzstan
One of the newest and the most notable ones around. The first thing that you would notice is that it is a huge building, the tallest in the area. It can accept up to 20 000 visitors
15/ Hazrat Khizr Mosque, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Constructed during 8th century it, is one of the oldest mosques in the country. It was built in the honour of Hazrat Khizr, one of the Muslim Saints, patron of travellers, who is responsible for water resources and wealth
16/ Shah-i-Zinda, Uzbekistan
Ensemble includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings of 11-15th & 19th centuries. The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning "The living king") is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, is buried here (pic 2)
17/ Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Kazakhstan
The largest mosques in Kazakhstan was completed in summer 2012 with a maximum capacity of 10,000 worshippers
18/ Bolo Haouz Mosque, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Built in 1712, on the opposite side of the citadel of Ark in Registan district, it is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list along with the other parts of the historic city. Details from the painted wooden roof
19/ The new postmodern mosque in Astana, Kazakhstan.
It claims to be the only mosque in the world with a a positive balance of energy consumption. Giant solar batteries outside provide more than enough energy for the mosque with the rest going into the city's grid
20/ Ulugh Beg Madrasa, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with other monuments, it forms the monumental ensemble of Registan. It was built between 1417 & 1421 by the then-Timurid governor of Samarkand, Ulugh Beg, Timur's grandson & prominent astronomer
21/ Mosque, Zharkent, Kazakhstan
Built by a Chinese architect in 1886 using wood from local fir trees and is consturcted entirely without nails
22/ Minor Mosque, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Opened in 2014, it can accommodate more than 2,500 people.
Consists of a grand avenue planted with greenery & inside there is a large hall decorated with quotations from the Holy book of the Koran and a mark pointing to Mecca made of gold
23/ Shopan ata Underground Mosque, Mangystau, Kazakhstan
Carved inside a limestone hill, it became a mosque in the 10th century. Shopan ata is famous for his miraculous actions that happened during his life & after death, which attracts many pilgrims to to visit his necropolis
24/ Kalta Minor Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan
One of the last great blue buildings in the Khanate of Khiva was Kalta Minor. This had to be the tallest structure in Khiva & in the whole of Central Asia. Works ended abruptly in 1855, leaving this beautiful minaret unfinished
If you like this thread, check out our forthcoming Islamic Art & Culture Digital Festival, happening online - 28 & 29 November.
At the festival, a theme we will explore is Islamic Art & Sacred Spaces
Arabic is one of the most romantic languages. It has at least 11 words for love and each of them conveys a different stage in the process of falling in love.
For Arabic Language Day, a thread on expressions of love in Arabic…
1/ Habibi or Habibti (حبيبي/حبيبتي)
In Arabic, habibi (masculine) and habibti (feminine) means “my love”. Arabs use this as the most common expression of love - for friends, family, and sometimes, even strangers.
#ArabicLanguageDay
2/ Rohi (روحي)
Rohi means “my soul mate”. So calling someone rohi means you’ll love them a lot longer than your life - for eternity
Khalil Gibran (1881-1931) is a Lebanese-American poet, writer, and philosopher, who bridged the soul’s longing for truth with the world’s eternal search for wisdom.
Born in what is now modern-day Lebanon, Gibran moved to the United States as a young man, where he became an influential voice in both Eastern and Western literary traditions. His most famous work, The Prophet (1923), is a collection of 26 poetic essays that explores timeless themes such as love, freedom, work, and spirituality. Written in a lyrical, mystical style, The Prophet has been translated into more than 100 languages and remains one of the most widely read and beloved books of the 20th century. Gibran’s blend of Eastern mysticism and Western romanticism appealed to readers seeking spiritual and philosophical guidance.
Gibran’s impact on global literature and philosophy is immense, as his works transcend cultural and religious boundaries. His ideas about the interconnectedness of all humanity, the pursuit of personal freedom, and the power of love resonated with readers from diverse backgrounds. Gibran’s writings have influenced spiritual movements, literary circles, and even political discourse, especially in the Arab world where he is considered one of the most influential writers of modern Arabic literature. His philosophy emphasizes the universality of human experience, bridging the gap between East and West, and his poetic vision continues to inspire generations of thinkers, artists, and spiritual seekers worldwide.
Mariam Astrulabi was a pioneering female Muslim scientist & astronomer, born in Syria during the 10th century. She is known for developing Astrolabes, an ancient astronomical computer for solving problems related to time & position of the sun & stars
A thread on Mariam Astrulabi
1/ Mariam al Astrulabi's remarkable contribution to the art of astrolabes has largely been ignored by the world. What she achieved in the 10th century consequently helped several generations of scientists to explore the concept of time and space.
Astrolabe @HSMOxford
@HSMOxford 2/ Astrolabes were beneficial in determining the position of the sun, moon, stars & the planets. They were used in astronomy, astrology & horoscopes. Muslims would specifically use it to find the Qibla, determine prayer times & the initial days of Ramadan and Eid
Did you know Mosque ceilings are designed to reflect the magnificence of the universe?
Here are spectacular details of 24 Mosque ceilings from around the world…
A thread…
1/ Jami Mosque, Andijan, Uzbekistan
The construction of the madrasah began in 1883 and lasted for 7 years. It has a gorgeous fretwork of wooden columns supporting a ceiling decorated with bright patterns made of a combination of geometrical ornaments & vegetal elements
Construction of the mosque started in 1603 and was finished in 1619. Built by the chief architect Mohammadreza Isfahani, during the reign of Shah Abbas I of Persia. Beautiful interior dome details
Ever wondered who paved the way for the age of algorithms?
It was a 9th-century Muslim genius, mathematician, geographer & astronomer, Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi - also known as the Father of Algebra
A thread on the incredible Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi…
1/ Even the term algorithm is Al-Khwarizmi translated into Latin!
The scientist and mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi lived from 780 to 850 AD in Persia and Iraq.
2/ Al-Khwarizmi's most significant contribution to mathematics was the development of algebra. His book, "Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" (The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing), introduced systematic methods for solving linear and quadratic equations.
Did you know that the Persian scholar of medicine, Ibn Sina (980-1037) suspected some diseases were spread by microorganisms.
To prevent human-to-human contamination, he came up with a method of isolating people for 40 days.
A thread on Ibn Sina & his impact on modern science…
1/ Ibn Sina, also known to the Latin West as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath and one of the most influential Islamic philosophers, physicians, and scientists of the medieval period. He was born in 980 CE in present-day Uzbekistan and passed away in 1037 CE in Iran.
2/ Ibn Sina's medical works had a profound impact on European medicine. His most renowned work in medicine is "The Canon of Medicine" (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb), considered one of the most influential medical texts in history. It consists of five books & covers a range of medical topics