Location Simferopol Rite Sunni State Russia/Ukraine Opened 1508 Architectural style Ottoman architecture Architectural type Mosque | Affiliation Islam Territory Crimea Status Active Capacity 200 Number of minarets 1 Number of domes 1 | |
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Address 4, Kurchatova St, 4, Simferopol, Crimea, 95000 Similar КРЫМСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ КРАЕВЕ, Detskiy park, Peshchera Chokurcha, Dolgorukovskiy Obelisk, Neapol' skifskiy | ||
The Kebir-Jami Mosque is located in Simferopol, Russia/Ukraine. Kebir-Jami mosque is a prominent architectural monument in Simferopol and the oldest building in the city.
History
In 1508, or 914 Hijri by the Muslim calendar, Kebir-Jami mosque was dedicated. Writing at the entrance of the mosque in Arabic language 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”. 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.
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.