Yunusovskaya, "First Cathedral", Marjani Mosque is a monument of culture and history of the Tatar people, which everyone in the city knows. The majestic outlines of the amazing structure are more than two centuries old.
Marjani Mosque (Kazan): history of creation
It must be said that in the capital of Tatarstan today there are quite a lot of similar Muslim shrines. But things were different in the eighteenth century.
The Marjani mosque in Kazan was built, the photo of which can be seen in the article, from 1767 to 1770. She became the embodiment of a period of religious tolerance throughout Russia. Representatives of the Tatar nobility and we althy merchants during the Empress's visit to Kazan complained to the "protector mother" about the persecution by the local authorities, which did not allow them to realize their Muslim customs.
Being an ardent supporter of religious tolerance, Catherine the Great immediately ordered A. N. Kvashnin-Samarin, the governor of the city, not to interfere with the construction of any religious buildings. Inspired by this, the inhabitants of Kazan began to collect money for the construction. They managed to collect the amount of five thousand rubles. It was with this money that the stone mosque of Marjani was built. CatherineThe Great One wrote the permission with her own hand and even, according to the legend, indicated the place for it.
Origin of the name
This Muslim shrine has had several of them throughout the history of its existence. Initially, it was called the "First Cathedral". Then it was renamed into "Efendi" (Master's), and then into Yunusovskaya - by the name of the merchants who became its patrons. The last name - the al-Marjani mosque - was given to it in honor of Imam Shigabutdin Marjani, who served in it in the second half of the nineteenth century and did a lot for the development of religious education in Kazan.
Description
The cathedral mosque of Marjani was built by Tatar masters. The project was created by the "lieutenant of architecture" V. Kaftyrev. He is known as the author of the restructuring of the burned-out upper and surviving lower parts of the city of Kazan, which he built up according to the general plan immediately after the Pugachev assault. Today, the Marjani Mosque with its Bulgar-Tatar decor and carved stone ornaments is considered a true decoration of the capital of Tatarstan.
The minaret, located on a hipped green roof, is quite typical for local architecture. Next to the mosque is the house of the scientist, historian, religious reformer and encyclopedist Shigabutdin Marjani. There is also a madrasah where he taught his students the faith that went side by side with scientific and realistic understanding of the world order.
The Marjani Mosque is a two-storey building with a T-shaped extension on its northern side, on the southern right wing of whichthe entrance is located. Functionally, the building is divided into the first utility and second floor, where the enfilade prayer halls are located. The rooms inside the mosque are covered with vaults. In the halls on the second floor, there is a magnificent stucco gilded ornament on the ceiling, combining motifs of baroque floral decor and Tatar applied art.
Interior decor
The patterned walls are painted green, blue and gold. The spiral staircase, located inside the minaret, through the upper tier goes to the balcony. It is made in the form of a semicircle and is intended for the muezzin. In the right wall part, dividing the halls, there is a door leading to the minaret. Three of its tiers have practically no decor. On the other hand, the high window openings on the second floor are framed by baroque architraves, and the corners and piers are highlighted by single and paired pilasters. Masters wove stylized elements from Tatar arts and crafts into their Ionic capitals.
Address
The Marjani Mosque is one of the main attractions of the Old Tatar settlement. It is open to tourists, however, in compliance with the rules in force in religious Muslim institutions. As in any mosque, shoes must be left at the entrance. Women must be in skirts and headscarves. This is the only way to enter the Marjani Mosque (Kazan). The address of this Muslim shrine is Kayum Nasyri street, building 17.
Reconstruction
One of the initiators of the construction and the first Mullah Yunusovskayamosque was Abubakir Ibragimov, who is a very authoritative religious figure for his time. After his death in 1793, the well-known theologian Ibrahim Khuzyash became Imam-Khatib. As needed, the building of the mosque was repaired and completed. The work was carried out at the expense of individuals.
At first, the roof of the mosque was covered with shingles, but already in 1795, by the efforts of two patrons, it was reconstructed and covered with sawn boards. And after the fire that happened in 1797, the mosque had to be blocked again. Gubaidulla son of Muhammadrahim and his son Ibrahim worked on the roof. This time sawn boards were replaced with sheets of tin. Ibrahim also surrounded the territory with a stone fence.
In 1863, the mosque was expanded with an addition, a window was made in it. More than two decades later, the minaret was fortified.
Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR in 1960, the mosque was recognized as an architectural monument of federal importance. Since 2001, the building has been reconstructed again. The work was completed for the celebration of the millennium of the capital of Tatarstan. More than twenty-seven million rubles were allocated for the reconstruction of this cathedral mosque.
Today
This Muslim shrine is certainly visited by those numerous guests who arrive in the capital of Tatarstan. Government delegations are also brought here. We can say that the hallmark of the republic is the Marjani Mosque (Kazan). A photo of a nikah (Muslim marriage) within its walls can be viewed below.
From 1995 to the present, the parish has been led by Imam Mansur-Khazrat. About six hundred believers gather for Friday prayers under the arches of the mosque. During Gaits, there is practically no place in the mosque. Those who come who do not fit inside read the holiday prayer outside, sitting in the adjacent territory.
Today, the state has created the most favorable conditions for people of all faiths. Through the efforts of Imam Mansur-Khazrat, a fairly large cultural center was created around the Marjani mosque. He united several structures at once: a shelter for orphans and a nursing home, a rich Islamic library, a house-museum, a medical center, a Halal Rezik store that sells foodstuffs allowed for Muslims, workshops where folk products are created, a guest house etc. The Marjani Mosque today has preserved traditions: it, as before, is considered the center of Islam in the entire Volga region.
Reviews
Here you can see not only believers, but also tourists. Many sightseeing tours include a visit to such a religious shrine as the Marjani Mosque (Kazan). The opinions of those who saw this amazing building testify that, regardless of religion, holy places are equally dear to everyone. Visitors say that in sunny weather, the mosque looks like a snowy mountain peak from a distance. And at night the building is beautifully illuminated.
