Kul Sharif Mosque
The Kul Sharif Mosque[1] (Tatar: Кол Шәриф мәчете; Russian: Мечеть Кул-Шариф, romanized: Mechet' Kul-Sharif) located in Kazan Kremlin, was reputed to be – at the time of its construction – one of the largest mosques in Russia, and in Europe outside of Istanbul.[2]
| Kul Sharif Mosque | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| District | Tatarstan |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Kazan, Russia |
| Geographic coordinates | 55°47′54.49″N 49°06′17.32″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Islamic architecture, Russian architecture |
| Completed | 2005 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 6,000 |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 4 |
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History
Originally, the mosque was built in the Kazan Kremlin in the 16th century. It was named after Kul Sharif, who was a religious scholar who served there. Kul Sharif died with his numerous students while defending Kazan from Russian forces in 1552 during the Siege of Kazan, and the mosque was destroyed by Ivan the Terrible's forces.[3] It is believed that the building featured minarets, both in the form of cupolas and tents. Its design was traditional for Volga Bulgaria, although elements of early Renaissance and Ottoman architecture could have been used as well.
Several countries contributed to the fund that was set up to rebuild Kul Sharif Mosque, namely Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Nowadays the mosque predominantly serves as a museum of Islam. At the same time during the major Muslim celebrations thousands of people gather there to pray.
The Kul Sharif complex was envisioned to be an important cornerstone of Kazan's architectural landscape. Besides the main mosque building it includes a library, publishing house and Imam's office.
References
- "Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia - Russia Travel Guide". Travel All Russia. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- "Putin joins Tatarstan festivities". BBC News. 2005-08-26. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
- Koesel, Karrie J. (2014-02-28). Religion and Authoritarianism: Cooperation, Conflict, and the Consequences. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-03706-9.
- Kinossian, Nadir (July 2012). "Post-Socialist Transition and Remaking the City: Political Construction of Heritage in Tatarstan". Europe-Asia Studies. 64 (5): 879–901. doi:10.1080/09668136.2012.681270. ISSN 0966-8136. S2CID 144030364.
- Shaposhnik, Viacheslav (2014-07-01). "Ivan the Terrible". Russian Studies in History. 53 (1): 74–80. doi:10.2753/RSH1061-1983530105. ISSN 1061-1983. S2CID 153886512.
External links
- "Kul Sharif (The main page)". Archived from the original on 13 September 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
- Kul Sharif video
- Kul Sharif mosque on "Russian mosques"
- Kul Sharif Mosque (Kazan)