Status Active Completed 2004 Opened 2004 | Architectural type Mosque Capacity 10,000 people | |
Address M37, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Similar Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque, Turkmen Carpet Museum, Neutrality Monument, World of Turkmenbashi Tales, Independence Monument - Ashgabat | ||
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 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.