After Turkmenbashi converted from Communism and embraced Islam in the 1990s, he made his pilgrimage to Mecca. Rumor has it that he returned from Saudi Arabia with $10 billion in aid from the government...As most Turkmens do not have the opportunity to travel to Mecca, Sparmyrat Hajii Mosque was built in Geok-Depe (outside Ashgabat) to offer an alternative pilgrimage site. Like most buildings in Ashgabat, it's an elaborate affair.
If you can't make it to Mecca for a pilgrimage, try Sparmyrat Hajii Mosque outside of Ashgabat instead. © UncorneredMarket.com
Gold-domed Kipchak Mosque (ironically, built by a French company) is a large mosque on the outskirts of Ashgabat. It is now the final resting place for Turkmenbashi and his family...We were told that all houses in the vicinity were flattened in order to build the structure; little compensation was provided to those made homeless by the project. © UncorneredMarket.com
