Gypjak metjid, officially named the Türkmenbaşy Ruhy mosque, was commissioned by Turkmenistan’s first president, Saparmyrat Niyazov, in his hometown of Gypjak. Completed in 2004, it serves not only as a place of worship but also as Niyazov’s final resting place, reflecting his vision of spiritual and national identity.
The mosque is renowned for its striking white marble exterior and golden dome, which stands 50 meters tall. Its four 91-meter minarets symbolize the year 1991, marking Turkmenistan’s Independence. With a capacity to accommodate 10,000 worshippers, it ranks among the largest mosques in Central Asia.
Inside, the mosque features inscriptions from the Quran alongside passages from the Ruhnama, Niyazov’s spiritual guide.
Adjacent to the mosque lies a mausoleum where Niyazov is interred, alongside his mother and two brothers. The site also commemorates victims of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake, blending personal and national history.
