Kunanbai Mosque

Kunanbai Mosque is an architectural monument included in the list of local historical and cultural heritage sites of Karaganda region.

History

The construction of the mosque began in 1850 and was completed in 1851. A discussion about building the mosque arose in 1847, and among those was Kunanbai, son of Kushik-Tobyq, who signed with 16 signatures.

An act on the construction of the mosque bearing the seal of senior sultan, Major Qusbek Taukeuly, was submitted to the duan. It was announced that funds would be collected from the people for the construction. In 1849-1852, Kunanbai, who was senior sultan of the Karakarly district, took the construction work into his own hands and completed it thoroughly, so the mosque became known among the people as Kunanbai Mosque.

Later a madrasa, a dormitory for students, and a mullahs' house rose near the mosque. Kunanbai Mosque served greatly in preaching Islam in the Karakarly district and in helping children recognize the black (i.e., dark) and acquire literacy. The poet Abai also visited the mosque at that time.

Because the Kunanbai Mosque was on the verge of decay and destruction due to neglect, in November 1989, at the invitation of the regional and district public, specialists from the “Institute of Design Projects for the Protection and Reconstruction of Kazakh Cultural-Historical Monuments” of Almaty and the “Artistic-Painting Scientific-Restoration Production Association” restored the mosque for the first time. This restoration was completed in 1991.

Mosque description

The mosque is built of red brick, with a large dome in the center of the roof and two smaller adjoining domes on each side. A minaret for calling the adhan is erected on the right side of the mosque. The dome is painted blue, and the exterior of the mosque is plastered white. The mosque’s mihrab faces east.