Peace be upon you - Ivey: the Tatar capital of Belarus
Assalamu alaikum. Iv’ye is the only city in Belarus that has preserved an ancient wooden mosque built in the 19th century. There used to be mosques in many places in Belarus - in Mir, Kletsk, Novogrudok, Slonim, and others, but many of them have been lost.
In 2012, a monument was opened in the central square of Iv’ye - four steles with arches, each symbolically directed towards representatives of different faiths living here: Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Muslims, and Jews.
Locals call Iv’ye the "Tatar capital." The Muslim community in this small town (with about 6,900 residents) numbers around 500 people. The mosque, built in 1884 with funding from the local countess Elvira Zamoiskaya by the decision of the Taurida Muftiat of the Russian Empire, is visited not just by local residents-it attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the country, regardless of faith.
It's a remarkable example of wooden architecture with modernist features. From the very beginning, the building had two entrances leading to separate prayer rooms for women and men.
The Muslim community of Iv’ye has managed to preserve its place of worship both during the atheistic Soviet years and in the difficult wartime. Worship in the mosque has been continuous since its opening.
Islam has influenced the culture of the city. Recently, the Iv’ye tradition of making mugirs-picturesque graphic works with verses from the Quran-was granted the status of historical and cultural value. The first mugirs are known from the early 20th century, and today this craft is taught to children in optional classes at the local art school.
The first Muslims in Belarusian lands were Tatars-they settled here six centuries ago. Later, Circassians came, and in the 19th century, after the Russo-Turkish war, quite a few former Turkish prisoners of war ended up here. But the core of Belarusian Islam remains the Tatars even today.
Islam originated in the 7th century and has had a significant impact on the history, culture, and social life of many peoples. In Arabic, "Islam" means submission to the will of Allah, and today this religion has over a billion followers.
Peace be upon you and blessings.
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/2