Kebir-Jami_Mosque,_Simferopol
Kebir-Jami Mosque, Simferopol
Sunni mosque in Simferopol, Crimea
The Kebir-Jami Mosque (Russian: Кебир-Джами, Ukrainian: Кебір-Джамі, Crimean Tatar: Kebir Cami, Turkish: Kebir Camii) is located in Simferopol, Crimea. Kebir-Jami mosque is a prominent architectural monument in Simferopol and the oldest building in the city.[1]
| Kebir-Jami Mosque | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Rite | Sunni |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Simferopol |
| Territory |  AR Crimea (de jure) Republic of Crimea (de facto) |
| Geographic coordinates | 44°56′56″N 34°06′25″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Original 1508 architect: Abdurakhman-bek-Ali 1991 architects: A. Abdurakhmanov and S. Khalilov |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Turkish worship |
| Completed | 1508 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 200 |
| Length | 18 meters |
| Width | 14 meters |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
In 1508, or 914 Hijri by the Muslim calendar, Kebir-Jami mosque was dedicated. Writing at the entrance of the mosque in Arabic states: "This mosque was built for the Glory of the Mightiness of the Khan Meñli I Giray, may Allah forgive all sins of himself and his children in the month of Muharram in the year of nine hundred and fourteen".[2] It is believed that the white walls of the mosque gave name to the medieval city of Aqmescit (White Mosque). Through the years the mosque has undergone reconstruction many times.
After World War II Kebir-Jami was left in a state of neglect. For several years the mosque was used as a book-cover workshop. After the return of the Crimean Tatars from deportation a revival of the old mosque began: in 1989 the mosque was given back to the Muslim community. Reconstruction began in late October 1991.[3]
Today, Kebir-Jami is the main Friday mosque of Crimea, it is the residence of the Mufti and the location of the Spiritual Direction of the Muslims of Crimea. The grounds also included a madrasah (educational institution) and the Crimean Tatar library.[4]
- "Muslim Mosques of Crimea". Russian Emirates. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
- "Muslim Mosques of Crimea". Russian Emirates. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
- "White Mosque on the Night of Decree". Religious Information Service of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
- "White Mosque on the Night of Decree". Religious Information Service of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
