Bishkek Central Mosque

The basics

Bishkek Central Mosque is one of the Kyrgyz capital’s most eye-catching modern landmarks; in an otherwise modest, unassuming city, the grandiose structure is hard to miss. The mosque can house thousands of worshippers and while it primarily exists to meet the needs of the city’s Muslim community, the building is also open to tourists. The mosque features as a stop on many city walking tours, which typically visit multiple sights including Victory Square, Ala-Too Square, and the State History Museum.

Things to know before you go

• All footwear must be removed and shoes stored at the entrance before entering the mosque. If you’d prefer not to go barefoot, bring along an extra pair of socks.
• Modest clothing is required: legs and arms should be completely concealed, while women should cover their hair.
• Photography is generally permitted outside of prayer times, but be sure to ask in advance before taking any pictures.
• An older, smaller mosque nearby used to have the same name before the more recent construction was completed—make sure not to get confused between them. The newer structure is also referred to as the Central Mosque of Imam Sarakhsi.

How to get there

Just as the name suggests, Bishkek Central Mosque is centrally located, near Chuy Avenue, one of the city’s major thoroughfares. If you’re staying in Bishkek’s downtown area, you can reach the mosque on foot within 20–30 minutes at most. If travelling by car, you’ll find plenty of parking, while taxis or rideshares are easily available within Bishkek.

When to get there

Aim for a weekday mid-morning or early afternoon outside of Muslim prayer times, when the mosque is closed to non-Muslim visitors. Avoid Fridays, especially around noon, which is the most important day of the week for Muslim prayers. Come just before sunset if you’re primarily interested in admiring the building from the outside, when you’ll find the structure at its most photogenic.

How Islam reached Kyrgyzstan centuries ago

Kyrgyzstan was once a stop on the famed Silk Road, which connected the Middle East to Central Asia and continued to China. Merchants and missionaries from the Muslim world journeyed this way as early as the 8th century, gradually spreading Islamic ideas. Later on, the Timurid and Mongol empires helped spread Islam among the Kyrgyz people. For more information, check out the State History Museum.