Most high-altitude mosque built in Kazakhstan
The new mosque is 7 km away from the main Muslim shrine - the Kaaba in Mecca and is built at an altitude of 1 760 meters above sea level.
The mosque named Al-Quddus is the easternmost point of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it is situated in the premises of the sanatorium "Rakhmanovskie klyuchi". December 11, the mosque was solemnly opened to the believers who heard the first prayer in it. The opening ceremony was attended by the chief Imam of the central mosque in Ust- Kamenogorsk, Rauan kazhy, imam of the mosque "Muhamadi" Ibrahim kazhy, imam of the mosque "Kabdygali ata" in the village of Ulken Naryn Shodihon kazhy, public representatives, villagers and tourists.
"It's a wonderful day for our region, for our country, - said Imam Ibrahim kazhy, - on the outskirts of the country, in a sacred place, at the foot of Belukha a house of Allah was built. We thank everyone who helped building it. Let the mosque become a center of education and enlightenment. It is the easternmost mosque in our country. The first Adhan, the call to prayer in Kazakhstan, will sound here."
The construction of the mosque was initiated by Chairman of the Board of Directors of "Bipek AUTO" Anatoly Balushkin. The idea was supported with donations from 11 more patrons.
In terms of architecture, the mosque "Al- Quddus" is a kind of synthesis of traditional construction of mosques in Central Asia and Iran. It was built by Khorezm masters known by the construction of almost one hundred unique architectural edifices throughout Central Asia. The mosque is 15 m high, in the shape of an octahedron, which in Islamic culture is a symbol of prosperity, a sign of unity and diversity of the world. The facade is complemented by two minarets flanking the central entrance. The hemispherical dome crowns the building. Outside walls are lined with red bricks combined with patterned yellow bricks brought from Khorezm. Each stone is carved manually by famous Khorezm masters, who are the fifth generation building mosques.