Al-Mardjani - a mosque in the capital of Tatarstan, a cultural monument of Kazan

The construction of the Al-Mardjani mosque was given permission by Catherine II herself, which at that time was a transit in Kazan. The mosque also has another name - Yunusovskaya, in honor of the merchant family, which provided its maintenance.

However, the Muslim temple got its real name thanks to the enlightener Shigabutdin Mardzhani, who served him faithfully for forty years. Al-Mardjani is a mosque, which can be called an architectural landmark. It also has a great historical significance. This is the first stone structure erected in Kazan after the capture of Ivan the Terrible in 1552.

Architectural structure

The Al-Mardjani Mosque (Kazan) consists of two floors. On the south side of the building is the main entrance. The first floor is allocated for household needs, on the second floor there are prayer rooms. The entire building of the mosque is covered with ornate vaults. On the second floor, the vaults are decorated with blue, green and gold moldings with gilded patterns of plants. All is sustained in the style of traditional Tatar art.

Between the halls there is a staircase leading to the minaret. From the minaret the spiral staircase leads to the rounded balcony for the muezzin. The minaret itself has almost no decor. But the window openings in the form of high arches are decorated with elements of Tatar art. Al-Mardjani is a mosque considered to be a real treasure of architecture.

History of the Monument

Kazan - the Tatar region with its colorful culture and traditions. And the Al-Mardjani mosque is a vivid confirmation of this. After visiting Kazan Empress Catherine II in 1767, it was decided to start building the first monument of the Tatar cultural heritage. A huge role in the construction was played by the Yunusov family, they not only allocated a considerable amount of money for construction, but also took the mosque completely to their own support.

The merchant families of the Gizetullins, Galikeevs, Valishins and Kazakovs also allocated funds for construction. But it was Yunusov's family who actively participated in the development of the mosque. Later, when the construction was already erected, Ibrahim Yunusov tried to improve it. For example, instead of a wooden fence, he built a stone fence, made a brick extension on the north side of the building, thereby extending it. Later, he increased the mihrab.

The merchant Usmanov was rebuilt a minaret, and at the expense of the merchants Gizetullin and Valishin was built an openwork metal fence around the circular balcony of the minaret. As a result, contemporaries can contemplate a real architectural monument - the Al-Mardjani mosque. Tatarstan can be proud of such a heritage.

Imam Shigabutdip Mardzhani

At present, Al-Mardjani (mosque) is called the outstanding Imam, who was not just a religious figure. Shigabutdip Mardzhani also became famous as a first-rate teacher, public figure. It was he who first consecrated the history of the Tatars.

When the mosque was built, the merchant Yunusov began to invite the best ministers and teachers, including Marjani, who at that time moved to Samarkand after finishing his studies in Bukhara. By order of Yunusov, people went there to take him to Kazan. Mardzhani agreed. Despite his young age, he was entrusted to lead the sermon on Fridays and to communicate with parishioners. So he became an imam-hatib. Later, Mardzhani received the status of Imam-Mudarris and began teaching in madrassas.

Mardzhani's Contribution to Contemporary History

The Enlightener made a huge contribution to the development of the mosque. At his will a new madrasah was built, although Yunusov's merchant was against such a restructuring. However, Mardzhani enlisted the support of other patrons, after numerous trials, he still managed to build a new educational building. The imam did not stop there. He also became famous for his non-standard approach to learning. In addition to religious subjects, mosques were taught astronomy, geometry and history. Mardzhani sought to combine the depth of the Muslim religion with modernity. He insisted that the Tatars learn the Russian language, but was against ignoring their native language. Perhaps, therefore, during the Soviet era was the only Muslim temple of Al-Mardjani. The mosque was visited by numerous foreign delegations, mainly from Muslim countries.

The mosque also helps young Muslim entrepreneurs. Surprisingly, Tatarstan is full of not only architectural monuments, but also places of cultural heritage, one of which is the Al-Mardjani Mosque (Kazan). Location: st. K. Nasyri, 17.