Ivye Mosque: The spiritual center of Muslims of Belarus

At the initiative of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, spiritual centers for traditional faiths have been established in Belarus. For Muslims, the Ivye Mosque has become such a magnet.

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A small town in the Grodno region is rightfully considered the Tatar capital of the Blue-Eyed. Iwye has the largest community (after Minsk), and the history of Tatar settlement in these lands dates back over 600 years. Their first appearance is associated with Prince Gediminas. It was he who invited the horsemen of the Golden Horde to join his army. Later, Princes Olgerd and Keistut sought the aid of these warriors, who were unrivaled in mounted combat. However, the settlement of Tatars near the castle in Iwye is attributed to Prince Vitovt. He gifted the warriors small plots of land as a token of gratitude for their victory in the Battle of Grunwald.

Time passed. The settlers settled down, began farming, and built a mosque. Incidentally, Iwje also boasts a Catholic church, a church, and a synagogue—representatives of four faiths live in peace and harmony in the town. Catholics visit Jews, Orthodox Christians share baths with Tatars, and everyone works together, raises children, and celebrates holidays. For its diverse palette of nationalities and religions, the town is sometimes jokingly called Iwje de Janeiro.

Living history

Belarusian Tatars carefully preserve their culture and religious traditions.

“It’s hard to imagine Ivye without its main spiritual and cultural landmark— the mosque. For some, it’s a house of prayer; for others , it’s a historical symbol preserving the memory of generations of Belarusian Tatars ,” emphasized Ivan Shabanovich, chairman of the Ivye Muslim Religious Community. “For us, the mosque isn’t just a building, but a living, unbroken history.”

 

The Ivye Mosque was built in 1884 with the permission of the Taurida Muftiate of the Russian Empire. It is a rectangular building with a pentagonal mihrab extension covered by a hipped roof. An octagonal minaret stands in the center of the mihrab. It is surrounded by a balcony and topped with a tall spire. The mosque’s interior is divided into men’s and women’s halves with separate entrances.

“In addition to prayers, the mosque regularly hosts Islamic studies classes for both adults and children ,” said I. Shabanovich. ” Attendance varies , but interest in the faith remains, albeit in different forms.”

 

 

Community life

Over six centuries of proximity to the inhabitants of the Blue-Eyed, the Tatar culture has become closely intertwined with the local one.

” We don’t have the flashy costumes or unusual dishes that usually surprise guests. Belarusian and Soviet songs are played at Tatar weddings , and the national cuisine is largely similar to that of Belarus , ” the interviewee explains. ” However, the most important thing we’ve managed to preserve is our attitude toward religion . Thanks to the mosque’s continued operation , the most important religious rites—funerals, family rites , holidays — continue to exist , and on Fridays, collective prayers are held there.”

 

 

Friday is a sacred time for Muslims. It is on this day of the week that the congregational prayer, Jumu’ah prayer, is performed.

” The obligatory portion lasts about 15 minutes, but with additional prayers, the service can last at least an hour, ” explained I. Shabanovich. “During this time, people tend to leave their work and join the community.”

 

 

Beauty in simplicity

Discussing the attitude towards religious doctrine, I. Shabanovich noted:

” Religion is not a hobby or entertainment, but a way of life . Any religion teaches morality , respect for elders , and kindness to neighbors.”

Moreover , in Islam, a neighbor is not only the one who lives behind the fence, but forty houses away in all directions .

The Ivye Mosque is frequently visited by tourists and official delegations from various countries. The chairman of the local Muslim community particularly remembers the visit of representatives of the Saudi Arabian government.

 

 

” Their mosques are all marble, gold, and opulent , while ours is wooden, old, and modest. This is precisely what struck the guests . It’s not for nothing that they say: beauty lies in simplicity. It’s not for nothing that our mosque is called the Belarusian Mecca.”

 

Prepared by Milana Zagorskaya

Photo by the author

Originally published at MinskNews.by