Aktas, the mosque

The monument is situated in 11 km to the south-west of Besaryk village (Zhanakorgan district, Kyzylorda region).

The mosque is located in Aktas district. The building was erected at the will of Aikozha Ishaan (his mausoleum is nearby) and named Aktas. There is a legend telling why the mosque was named not Aikozha, but Aktas. In the VIII century saint named Aktas arrived with Arab invaders, was killed in this very place and recognized as a shahid. He was buried here. The mosque was named "Mosque of Aktas" in honor of this man. However, there is also an opinion that along with this name there is one more thing - "Mosque of Aikozha Ishaan".

According to oral historical information, the construction of the mosque was started by the eldest son of Aikozha ishaan Ibadulla and completed by the youngest son Atamagzum. Construction of the mosque was financed by a certain Tashkenbay, architects were invited from Samarkand. It is known that the bricks were flooded by local residents. The building is located on the terrace of the valley slope on the right bank of the Syr Darya River. At the foot of the valley flows a spring, which is considered healing. The height of the mosque is such that from there you can see the mausoleums of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Arystan-Bab.

The building is built of burnt rectangular bricks (6.5×13×26 cm). Parameters: area 18,55×19,0 m, height 20 m. The facade of the rectangular building is located on the eastern side. The dome of the mosque can be reached by a tetrahedral, two-story staircase. The walls are decorated with ornaments. The main part has three tall, decorated arches and an entrance door made of the middle arch. On the northern and southern walls there are windows with decor. Under the window on the north side there is another door. The mihrab of the mosque is located in the middle of the west wall. During excavations at the northern wall, foundations of small rectangular rooms were found. This gave rise to the hypothesis that there was a madrassa near the mosque. At the same time, according to the research of scientists, there is a hypothesis about the presence of stationary houses of Kazakhs near the mosque. In 1984, restoration works were carried out on the monument.

There are many legends among the people about the history of construction of the highest mosque near the lower reaches of the Syr Darya River. The construction of the architectural monument is associated with the legendary Aikozha Ishaan, who is considered a saint. People say that the pilgrims gathered near this mosque before making the hajj to Mecca. It is known that for Muslims the mosque is considered a sacred place. At present, the people who came to this mosque can pray, read the Koran and perform religious actions.

The mosque of Aktas is a unique architectural object. In 1982, the monument was included in the register of historical and cultural objects of national importance and is protected by the state.