Seyitzhan Kari Yeszhanuly Mosque
In the spring of 2024, a new mosque was opened in Shymkent. The construction was sponsored by Serikzhan Seyitzhanov, the head of South Oil Company, and the mosque was named in honor of his father, Seyitzhan Yeszhanuly.
The Seyitzhan Kari Yeszhanuly Mosque is in the running for two Guinness World Records: the largest dome in Central Asia and the tallest mihrab – a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca. The main dome boasts a diameter of 56 meters (184 ft), and the mihrab reaches a height of 36 meters (118 ft). The mosque is also adorned with four minarets, each standing 63 meters (207 ft) tall, which is symbolic of the age of the Prophet Muhammad.
The mosque’s stunning white façade is clad in white marble and granite, evoking a sense of purity and grandeur. Serikzhan Seyitzhanov and the architects drew inspiration from the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, and the resemblance is evident, although the Shymkent mosque is smaller in scale.
Designed to accommodate 12,000 worshippers, the Seyitzhan Kari Yeszhanuly Mosque can host an additional 10,000 people in the square outside. Tents equipped with fans and dehumidifiers ensure comfort, shielding believers from heat and rain.
The mosque’s facilities are extensive, including separate prayer halls for men and women, a dining hall, a wedding hall, underground parking, an educational center, a library, and even a fitness center.
How to get there?
Address: 366 Nazarbayev Ave.
The mosque is located in the Nursat microdistrict – the new administrative center of Shymkent. The closest bus stop to the mosque is "Korkem Gymnastics Center". You can get there by buses #3, 10, 15, 27, 54, 67, 92 and 113.
Other tourist attractions near the mosque:
- Turkistan Sarayi Concert Hall
- Kazakh Drama Theater named after Zh. Shanin
- Al-Farabi Scientific Library
- Shymkent Arboretum
- Kasiret Memorial
- Shymkent Zoo
Recommended tours:
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Shymkent, the third-largest city in Kazakhstan, boasts a rich, extensive history. It is one of the oldest cities in the region, having emerged as a vital hub along the Silk Road caravan routes.