From the history of the oldest mosques in the Saratov Volga region

Abstract

The article examines the history of the surviving and still functioning oldest mosques of the Trans-Volga region of the Saratov region, located in the Tatar villages of Osinov Gai and Verkhazovka. The history of mosques is explored in the context of the history of Islam and the history of the Tatar villages of the region. Based on unpublished sources, as well as research literature, episodes from the biography of imams of mosques and teachers, including those whose origin or education is associated with Kazan and the Kazan province, are revealed. Concrete examples show the actions of decision-making mechanisms, obtaining permission to build mosques in the pre-Soviet Tatar villages of the Saratov Territory, as well as the role and contribution of individual wealthy members of the parishes – Tagirovs, Yamashevs, Khasyanovs – to the process of building and maintaining mosques and the mektebe operating under them.

For citation: Khabibullin A.A. From the history of the oldest mosques in the Saratov Volga region. From History and Culture of Peoples of the Middle Volga Region. 2025, vol.15, no.4, pp.85–96. https://doi.org/10.22378/2410-0765.2025-15-4.85-96 (In Russian)