Miri Arab Madrasah

Miri Arab Madrasah is a 16th—century Muslim educational and religious educational institution located in Bukhara. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The madrasah is part of the Poi-Kalyan architectural ensemble (it includes three buildings — a madrasah, a mosque and a minaret). You will find Miri Arab on the opposite side of the Kalyan Mosque. The building is still used for its intended purpose.

You can view the Poi-Kalyan complex from the square at any time. Many tourists recommend visiting this place in the evening, as Poi Kalyan looks especially impressive during sunset. In addition, there is a very beautiful illumination here at night, which does not spoil the appearance of the historical complex at all. Tourists are not allowed in the madrasah.

The history of the Miri Arab Madrasah in Bukhara

Miri Arab was built in the first third of the 16th century by order of Sheikh Sayyid Abdullah al-Yamani Hazaramawti. This sheikh once had a great influence on the ruler Ubaidullah Khan. Huge funds were spent on the construction of the mosque: According to one version, 3,000 Persian captives were sold into slavery for this purpose, according to another, the resources were obtained during military campaigns.

Also, historians cannot agree on the exact date of construction of the madrasah. Some say that it was 1535-1536, while others say that Miri Arab had already been erected by that time, because before his death, Sayyid Abdullah al—Yamani Hazaramawti (he died in 1526) ordered him to be buried on the territory of the madrasah. It is possible that Miri Arab was rebuilt in 1535-1536, which is why this date is indicated. By the way, it was after the death of Sayyid Abdullah al-Yamani that the Hazaramawti madrasah was named Miri Arab, which means "Arab's property."

Until 1920, the madrasah was located in the Emirate of Bukhara (a state located on the territory of modern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and part of Turkmenistan). After 1920, with the advent of Soviet power, the madrasah was closed. However, in 1945, Mufti Eshon Babahan succeeded in opening Miri Arab. Until 1989, it was the only madrasah in the USSR (another one was located in Tashkent from 1956 to 1961, but it was closed due to the building's dilapidation).

They studied at the madrasa for 9 years, if the applicant already had a secondary secular education, then 4 years. The program included secular and religious subjects and was supervised by the Council for Religious Cults under the Government of the USSR. There were few students in the madrasah: from 40 to 80 people studied there every year.

Now Miri Arab Madrasah is one of the main religious educational institutions in Bukhara. Here, future muftis delve into all the subtleties of Islam.