"The Heart of Chechnya"
In a region like Chechnya, where "every Chechen is a warrior first" and where the national motto is Marşo ya Joƶalla! ("Freedom or death!"), few tourists are willing to venture there.
Chechnya is a region with a violent and painful history that is slowly rebuilding itself after a bloody war. There is a particular atmosphere, almost distressing and cold, but the expanding capital has a contrasting, charming and visionary side.
Today I want to share with you what my eyes have had the pleasure of discovering, which is considered to be Grozny's crown jewel:
The Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque, also known as
"The Heart of Chechnya".
“Le plus voyage, c’est celui qu’on a pas encore fait.”
“The best journey is the one we haven’t taken yet.”
Located in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, The Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque, known as "The Heart of Chechnya" (Russian: Сердце Чечни), is one of the largest Mosque in Russia.
The construction started in 2006, after the war, and is part of an architectural complex (14 hectares) known as the Islamic complex of Grozny, which is located on the banks of the Surzha River.
The former Lenin Square was chosen for construction. It was from here that the city's development began in ancient times, which is why it is called the "heart of Grozny".
The adjacent area includes a huge park with multiple fountains, alleys, flower beds, and exotic trees from different parts of the world: Japanese Sakura, Ginkgo from China and South American Catalpa.
In front of the mosque there is an artificial 3D-modeling olive tree, made as a copy of the olive tree from Jordan, under which the Prophet Muhammad prayed and rested.
The idea of the mosque was originally conceived as a symbol of peace in the 1990s by Akhmat Kadyrov, the first president of the Republic of Chechnya and father of the current president of the Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.
In consequence, the mosque was named after him. But the project finally happened only in 2006, after the end of the war, and the mosque officially opened only two years later, on October 16, 2008, with a ceremony in which Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin took part.
Designed in the classical Ottoman style, its architecture was inspired by the world-famous Sultanahmet Mosque, or The Blue Mosque of Istanbul.
The mosque includes four minarets, each 63 m high, while the massive 32 m-high central dome has a diameter of 16 m.
The main dome is inscribed with Surah 112 "al-Ikhlâs", in which is written "He is God, the Single, Indivisible - God, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there happens to be not a single one equal to Him."
For the exterior, rare travertine marble was brought from the Turkish coast of the Sea of Marmara. As for the interior, it is decorated with white marble and gold-painted verses from the Quara.
When you enter, you can't be astonished by the beauty of the enlightenment, given by 36 (in homage to other major mosques in the world) luxury chandeliers, containing 2.5 kg of gold and Swarovski crystals.
With its 5,000 square meters, it can accommodate more than 10,000 worshipers.
There are also unique items of great importance to the Muslim world kept here, among them the sword of the Prophet Muhammad, two hairs of the Prophet, his cloak and a plaster cast of his foot.
If you ever get the chance to travel to Chechnya and visit this moving place, there are a few strict rules to follow.
The main thing is to follow the dress code.
Men must wear trousers and a shirt, while women must wear a full-length skirt, a long-sleeved blouse and a headscarf.
If you don't have suitable clothes, next to the central entrance, there is a pavilion where you can borrow a dress and a scarf to cover your hair.
For Muslims, the body is a temple, it cannot be uncovered in a public place.
In 2013, The Heart of Chechnya Mosque was chosen to be Russia’s most popular visual symbol, and it's truly nowadays a symbol of faith and unity for the residents of the Republic, in the image of the entire country.
The Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque also symbolizes the rebirth of the city and is considered by many to be Grozny’s crown jewel with its exquisite decor, carpets, walls, luxurious furnishings, and twinkling lamps.
For tourists, this is a place where everyone can experience an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, imbued with deep cultural traditions and historical significance.
Its architectural features and style is a true work of art, filling your soul with admiration and reverence for this great beauty and faith.
I was fortunate during my visit to hear the muezzin's call to prayer. Even though I couldn't understand the words, this voice and these words, touched me to the depths of my soul and moved me so much that I shed a few tears.
