Spiritual heritage, national memory and architectural harmony -
Islamic shrines and religious buildings of Almaty -
The Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunayev Mosque is one of the most significant Muslim buildings in Almaty. It became not only a place of worship, but also a living monument to a man whose life was dedicated to serving the people. Located in the quiet neighborhood of Akbulak, Alatau district, the mosque rises among the greenery, as if inviting reflection, prayer and inner peace.
This iconic building was built not with state funds, but with voluntary donations from thousands of Kazakhstanis, from ordinary pensioners to entrepreneurs. Faith, gratitude and the desire to preserve the memory of an outstanding statesman, whom the people lovingly call "Dimeken", merged together in him.
People come here not only for prayer, but also for a sense of calm, inner composure and connection with the moral guidelines that Kunaev embodied during his lifetime.
History
The idea of building a mosque named after Dinmukhamed Kunayev arose in the early 2010s. In 2012, a collection of public donations was announced through the Kunaev foundation "Sauap", whose name means "reward for a good deed" in Arabic. People of all ages and professions took part in this project, from entrepreneurs to pensioners, which made the future mosque a truly national building.
Construction began in 2014-2015 as part of the development of the Alatau district and the preparation of urban infrastructure. The new mosque became the first major spiritual site in the area, where previously there was a shortage of religious spaces.
The grand opening took place in November 2016 and gathered hundreds of Almaty residents and guests of the city. The ceremony began with the reading of the Koran by the chief Imam of the Central Mosque of Almaty. Representatives of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Kazakhstan congratulated the residents of the city, stressing that the opening of the mosque is an act of respect for the memory of a man who worked all his life for the benefit of the people and the state.
During the opening, warm memories of Dinmukhamed Kunayev, who was respectfully called Dimeken, were heard. It was noted that despite his high party positions and membership in the Politburo, he was deeply interested in the Islamic tradition, including the Sufi trend, and always remained a man of high morality.
Architecture
The architectural appearance of the mosque combines modern construction solutions and traditional elements of Islamic architecture. The building is designed for more than two thousand worshippers at a time, which makes it the second largest mosque in Almaty after the Central One.
The mosque is crowned by four minarets about 29 meters high, located at the corners of the building. The total area of the complex is about 1600 square meters. The interior has been designed with the comfort of the parishioners in mind: a heating system powered by special boilers is installed under the floors, which is especially important in winter.
The mihrab is decorated in oriental style, and the columns are decorated with Kazakh national ornaments, emphasizing the connection of religious architecture with the cultural traditions of the region. The space of the hall is filled with light and creates a feeling of openness and balance.
Dinmukhamed Kunaev – a man of the epoch
The name of Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunayev occupies a special place in the history of Kazakhstan. He was a statesman whose influence determined the development of the republic in the second half of the 20th century, and a man whom the people treated with sincere respect and warmth.
Kunaev was born in 1912 in Verny (now Almaty). After receiving an engineering degree, he worked his way up from a specialist in the mining industry to the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR. For many years, he was a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU, while remaining a man deeply connected with his native land and its people.
During the years of his leadership, dozens of cities were built in Kazakhstan, large industrial enterprises were opened, science, culture and education developed. It was under Kunayev that the republic received a powerful economic boost and strengthened its territorial integrity.
Despite his high party status, Kunaev maintained his personal modesty and inner spirituality. It is known that he was interested in Islamic philosophy and the Sufi tradition, paying attention to the moral foundations of life and the responsibility of power to people.
He was respectfully called "Dimeken" by the people. His memory is still alive today, as a man who worked not for positions, but for the future of the country. That is why the mosque bearing his name is perceived not only as a religious building, but also as a symbol of grateful memory, national respect and spiritual continuity.
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How to get there and visit -
The Dinmukhamed Kunayev Mosque is located in Almaty at 10 Karatogan Street, Akbulak microdistrict, Alatau district of Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°14'52"N 76°49'24"E
You can get here by private transport, taxi or city buses heading towards the Akbulak microdistrict. The area is actively developing, and the mosque is well known to the locals.
Working hours: daily from 05:00 to 22:00.
The visit is open to everyone, subject to generally accepted rules of conduct and dress code.
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Atmosphere
The atmosphere of the mosque is particularly collected and calm. There is not only religious warmth here, but also human warmth, as a result of the fact that the temple was built with public donations. The space is filled with a sense of respect for the past and responsibility for the future.
During major religious holidays, the mosque becomes a place of attraction for thousands of people, and on ordinary days there is silence, encouraging meditation and prayer.
Legend and legend
There is an unspoken belief among parishioners that the Kunaev Mosque carries a special energy of gratitude. They say that she "accepted" the memory of a man who did a lot for the country, and therefore it is especially easy to find inner peace here. It is said that on the opening day, a flock of white pigeons circled over the mosque, which many took as a good sign and a blessing for the beginning of the spiritual path of the new temple.
It is believed that sincere prayer in this mosque helps to bring order to thoughts and strengthen intentions, especially if a person comes here with a pure heart and kind thoughts.
The Dinmukhamed Kunayev Mosque in Alma Ata is not just a religious building. It is a monument of national memory, spiritual values and respect for a personality that has left a deep mark in the history of Kazakhstan.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior;
• Theater of traditional Art "Alatau"
• Almaty Arena Ice Palace
• Athletic village.
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