Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque

Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque
Mosque with tomb on the right
Basic information
Location	Gypjak, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Affiliation	Islam
Status	Active
Architectural description
Architectural type	Mosque
Architectural style	Islamic
Completed	2004
Capacity	10,000 people[1]

Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque or Gypjak Mosque (Turkmen: Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Metjidi/Түркменбашы Рухы Метҗиди, تۆركمنباشیٛ روُخیٛ متجىدى) is a mosque in the village of Gypjak about 7 kilometres west of the centre of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on the M37 highway.

Overview

The mosque, constructed by the French company Bouygues, was built in the home town of President Saparmurat Niyazov. It opened on October 22, 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died two years later, and was buried in the mausoleum on December 24, 2006.

The mausoleum at the Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque, just outside Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

The mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Book of Soul), Niyazov's 'pseudo-spiritual guide to life' are built into the walls. It has outraged many Muslims that the Ruhnama is placed as the Koran's equal.^[2]

References

1. Corley, Felix (4 January 2005). "TURKMENISTAN: 2004, the year of demolished mosques". Forum 18 News Service. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
2. Door to the Kipchak Mosque

External links

Media related to Gypjak Mosque at Wikimedia Commons Coordinates: 38°1′4″N 58°15′10″E / 38.01778°N 58.25278°E