The construction of a Fair Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre was recently discussed by Gleb Nikitin, Head of Nizhniy Novgorod Region, and Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation. The meeting took place at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
Photo: SAMR
From 1820 to 1920 in Nizhniy Novgorod there was a Fair Mosque, which attracted Muslim merchants of the Volga Region and foreign countries. The mosque was not called ‘Fair Mosque’ for nothing, as it was part of the Nizhniy Novgorod Fair complex. The initiators of the construction were merchants and the local Muslim community. Unfortunately, by 1930, after the Muslim community was dissolved, the mosque ceased to exist.
The mosque under the patronage of Marat Khusnullin will be erected on Marat Street
In 2011 the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Nizhniy Novgorod Region initiated the construction of a new mosque. A plot of land on Marat Street next to the flour mill plant was allocated for the construction. It is noteworthy that the project of the religious construction is under the patronage of Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Preparation and Celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
Photo: official site of Nizhny Novgorod
The new mosque was intended to replicate in many ways the design of the old mosque by architect Anton Leer. In July 2022 the Nizhny Novgorod Architectural Council unflatteringly commented on the mosque’s design by Osta Company. Nevertheless, the details of the project were recently discussed at a meeting between Gleb Nikitin, Head of Nizhny Novgorod region, and Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation.
In an interview with GiperNN Nizhny Novgorod Internet edition, the Head of the region said: ‘It will become the most important element of the renewed territory of the Oka embankment. We discussed how to combine historical context and modern needs of the Muslim community’.
Resumption of construction of the Nizhny Novgorod Centre of Muslim Culture
The construction of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Nizhny Novgorod started after receiving permission from the city administration in 2011. However, the project has never been implemented. The resumption of the project was also discussed at a meeting at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
The new centre is planned to be located next to the Fair Mosque. It will consist of a library, music school, workshops, a concert hall and a museum. The Head of Nizhny Novgorod Region stressed that the Mosque and the Cultural Centre would become bright elements of the city’s architecture and would complement the city’s architectural image being recreated on the eve of the 800th anniversary.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo in the slider: official site of Nizhny Novgorod