Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque — Attraction in Ashgabat City

As with many monuments and sights in Ashgabat this too is extravagant. Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque is about 7km on the outskirts of the city and is the resting place for Saparmurat Niyazov, the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006. It opened on 22 October 2004 and remains the centre of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (The Book of the Soul). The latter is a weird book by Nyýazow's 'pseudo-spiritual guide to life' are built into the walls. Becausse of this madness it is often empty as the Ruhnama inscriptions are considered blasphemous by devout mosquegoers. That pretty well tells you a lot about this city...

Largest domed mosque in Central Asia.

Genuinely jaw-dropping when you go inside (photos not allowed inside)

Not that popular with local Muslims, so comparatively quiet, especially given the size.

Go into the basement to see the scale of washing facilities.

Be aware there are non-Quran phrases written on the walls of the mosque, from Turkmenbashi's book. Some may feel this is inappropriate...

Beautiful mosque built in its own, modern, recognizable Turkmen style. A lot of attention has also been paid to the details, such as the finishing and design of the doors, the geometric pattern on the inside of the dome. President Saparmurat Niyazov ordered the construction of this mosque (which can accommodate 10.000 congregants)in his hometown Gypjak. The mosque opened on 22...