The Imam Khomeini mosque, which now stands as a symbol of friendship between the two countries of Iran and Turkmenistan, was built in the first years of the Turkmenistan independence. This mosque was built by the Islamic Republic of Iran as a cultural present. It is situated in the south of Turkmenistan in a district called Bayram Ali, which is situated in the city of Merv. There is also a village in the Bayram Ali district which is called Rafsanjani.
Fourteen years ago a mosque was built in this village, with the then political and cultural head of the Iranian country. It has now turned in to the centre of worship for the people of this area.
The Imam Khomeini mosque is found at the entrance of the Rafsanjani village, which is 500 kilometers from the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. The mosque is always opened for those who wish to pray and worship.
The mosque was built by Iranian architects and engineers and has been designed according to Iranian Islamic art. The people of this area are of the view that this mosque is truly an unmatched and valuable present presented by Iran. It is a well-known mosque not only among the people living in the village but also among nearby villages and areas.
The people of this area mostly speak Farsi, and the mosque serves as a gathering place for different ceremonies. The most important ceremonies held are during the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid Al-Udhha, and the month of Muharram.
At the entrance of the mosque a piece of copper has been put up and the following has been engraved on it:
In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful
Imam Khomeini’s mosque is situated on the edge of the Abrisham motorway, and was built in order to strengthen the relationship between the two ally countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkmenistan. This mosque was officially opened on the 11th of May 1997 by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashimi Rafsanjani and Mr. Safar-Murad Niyazov, who were presidents of their countries at the time. This mosque has an area of 5000 square metres and its shabestan (part of mosque designed for performing prayers) has an area of 400 square metres.
The name of this village, which used to be Nariman, was changed to Rafsanjani 18 years ago upon the visit of Ayatollah Hashimi Rafsanjani, who was the Iranian president at the time. It was also the time when the building of this mosque officially started. The ex-president Safar-Murad Niyazov was also present during this ceremony.
The mosque was officially opened by Hashimi Rafsanjani and Safar-Murad Niyazov on the 11th of May 1997. It was decided that the name of the mosque would be the Rafsanjani mosque but due to the insistence of Hashimi Rafsanjani it was name the Imam Khomeini mosque.”