Hazrat Zahra Masjid (Mosque)

Hazrat Zahra Masjid is a modern mosque-community complex, situated in the center of Nakhchivan at the Islam Safarli address. Because the city is compact, you have easy access to it within 10-15 minutes by taxi. Taxis are not expensive, and drivers know the name “Zahra Masjid” right away.

The mosque is open for prayers five times a day and is actively used throughout the day. It is crowded on Fridays and special occasions; weekday afternoons are ideal for a quiet visit. During Ramadan and Muharram, the mosque stays busy until evening.

Separate sections are given for men and women. The attendants point out the section earmarked for women at the entrance itself. Mosque etiquette is followed; women enter with headscarves, while men enter with their shoulders covered. Ablution areas within the complex are clean and tidy; separate sections are there for men and women.

The mosque was built for the Naxçivan Ja’fari community in honor of the name of Hazrat Fatima. Its dome and two minarets combine modern structures with traditional features, as does the calligraphy inside. The men’s section is more lavishly decorated, while the women’s section remains simple.

The mosque is not a tourist museum; therefore, there are no professional guides. Nonetheless, information in Turkish can be obtained from the attendants or the imam. Tours in the city often include this mosque in their itinerary of the Mausoleum of Mömine Hatun and the Khan Palace, which includes a narrated tour.

During the visit, one can pray, perform two-rakat tahiyyatü’l-masjid, and recite the Quran. You would be well-advised to ask the attendant for permission to take pictures inside. The outer courtyard and the minarets are most suitable for photography.

Within the complex, there are restrooms and small areas where guests can take short rests. For the convenience of visitors with disabilities, the main entrance is level; however, accessing the upper floors requires stairs. It is necessary to wear light clothes in summer and warm ones in winter because of Naxçıvan’s continental climate.

The mosque is within reach of the city center hotels. Hotels such as the Tabriz Hotel, Naxçıvan Palace, Grand Nakhchivan, and Saat Meydanı are close to the mosque. Tourists can visit the Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque on the same day as they stay in the city center. You can see the Zehra Mosque, the Tomb of Mömine Hatun, and the Tomb of Noah in one venue. In Naxçıvan, the Hazrat Zehra Mosque is just as necessary to see for its architecture as it is for its spiritual atmosphere. Right here, you will find an oазis of prayers in the bosom of the city and feel how much the residents love the Ahl al-Bayt.