A universal place of worship is being built in Russia from donations left by visitors. The rooftops reflect the symbols of different faiths, including orthodox Christians, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims.
A mosque, an orthodox church, and a synagogue united under one roof.
This is the ‘Temple of All Religions’ in Kazan, in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, nearly five hundred miles from Moscow.
It has always lain at a crossroads between Islam and Christianity.
Construction on the temple began in 1992 when its local architect and philantropist Ildar Khanov saw Jesus Christ in a vision.
“My brother came and told me ‘Ilgiz’, you know, daddy dreamed of building a Mosque’. But because our country (Russia) is dual, meaning it has two religions, including Buddhism, my brother (Ildav Khanov) decided to connect all of them.”Ilgiz Khanov, brother of the founder
Work in Progress
The building is a work in progress, reliant on donations of the visitors who come here.
The founder Ildar Khanov died in 2013 and his brother has assumed responsibility for completing the building. He describes the vision of Christ to his brother:
"The heavenly father Christ showed himself to him (my brother) and asked: 'Ildar, get up at 6 am and start digging the base of the temple'. He (the brother) says: 'Jesus Christ, I don't have money or anything (for the construction)'. 'You just start and then (will see),' he (Christ) says. And today, we see the result," says Khanov.
In Tatarstan, Ildar Khanov was also known as a healer for his efforts to help alcoholics and drug addicts.He financed the entire project of the Temple himself and relied on donations from building suppliers and help of his patients with the construction.
Tourist Attraction
A unique complex, also known as the Universal Temple, reflects several architectural styles of major religions and presents other faiths, including those which are no longer practiced, for example, those from Ancient Egypt.
Already complete are the Jesus Christ Hall, the Catholic hall, the Buddhist room and the Egypt hall.
There is also a theatre, art gallery and a tea room.
The Temple's manager Farid Khairillin says: "It is an object of art and at the same time a private house. You come here as a visitor. You come to Khanovs family home. You come to see what they did."
Khairillin explains why the building is an attraction:
“People come here because the place is unusual. There is no other (temple) in the world. There are some similar places, a religious temple in Bali where seven confessions (are made), but it’s a functioning temple. Also one in Europe, in Amsterdam, I think, or somewhere in the Netherlands, the temple of two confessions. But here it’s a bit different, (we have) another message.”Farid Khairillin.
To Promote Inter-Religious Understanding
Visitor Rafita Pandiangan is a tourist from Indonesia which has one of the world’s largest Muslim populations. She says: “We don’t have to be, feel different from each other even (if) we are different, we have different religions. And this place showed me that we have to tolerate each other.”
In the Buddhist room another visitor Nadezhda Yusupova. She says: "Here there is calm energy, and happiness let's say. People come here to re-energize themselves, take this joy with them back home, and even (their) life improves."
Today, the structure, officially named the International Centre for Cultural Unity, serves as a cultural centre and a residence for Khanov's family, but not as an active temple of any religion.
It aims to promote inter-religious understanding or "to be a temple of culture and truth", as the founder described it.
Visitor Gazinur Maslakhov says he believes the building with be completed with, or without financial support from the state.
He says: "I get goosebumps, I'm walking here and it makes my skin shiver. I feel it (the Temple) is private, not state-run, and it's obvious. It would be great if the state supported (it) as they have written, but it will be constructed anyway."
Khairillin says: "In this building when it's ready, there will be the Jewish hall, and Confucianism will be represented. (We) will make some workshops and exhibition halls."
The temple also has ambitions to provide an astronomical society, an environmental school, a children's conservatoire, an art school, and a rehabilitation centre.
The brightly coloured and richly decorated building has become a popular landmark in the city for visiting tourists.
(With inputs from AP)
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