Bisen Khazret Mosque

Type of monument: Sacral object

Date of monument: XIX century

Location: Aktobe region, Khobda district, 5.9 km south-east of Zharyk village

Research: The mosque was studied in 2008 within the framework of the national program “Cultural Heritage”. In 2017 it was researched by the expedition “Amanat” of Turan TV channel, a book and TV program were published.

Brief description: After his return from Istanbul, Bisen builds a mosque in the summer pasture Zhamankol with the help of master Birman, known in Uile and Khobda. Here he taught children in madrasah and was engaged in educational activity. The mosque became a center of religious knowledge. For 16 years he has been teaching children religious knowledge and the Arabic language. Before the Soviet power this place was one of the most sacred and respected by the people.

The mosque is 8 m wide, 15 m long and 3 m high. The foundation of the mosque has been made of natural flagstone and the walls were built of clay. The building has 10 windows and one big door. It consists of 2 rooms: big prayer hall and an anteroom. The doors, windows and tin roof have been removed.

Legends: Bisen Hazret was born in 1878 near the village Zharyk, Khobdin area of Aktobe region, Zhamankol district. He was from the family clan of Zhetyru-Tabyn. At the age of 15 Abdollah’s father sent his son Bisen to study in one of the famous madrasahs of Bukhara. The naturally gifted student continued his studies in Istanbul. Three years Bisen studied in Bukhara, five years in Istanbul, and then returned home as a great scholar of theology.

In 1928, during collectivization, his property was to be confiscated. But at night he had been warned by a relative, 25-year-old Village Council secretary Sultan Bimagambetov, “Tomorrow you will be sent into exile, and your property will be confiscated. The order has come, you have to escape”. That same night he moved to Bashkortostan with his small belongings to Sakmara.

 In 1969, after living 91 years, the religious leader passed away, according to his will, he was buried near the saint Birmagambet Koshimkululy in Kumsai rural district.