Bukhara - Miri Arab Madrasah

The Miri Arab Madrasah in Bukhara: a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and education

The Miri Arab Madrasah in Bukhara, one of the most magnificent Islamic educational and religious institutions from the 16th century, is located in the heart of the historic city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan. This architectural masterpiece is part of the Poi-Kalon ensemble and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its cultural and historical significance. The madrasah, which still serves as an educational centre for Islamic scholarship, is an impressive testimony to Central Asian architecture and spiritual life.

History and legends
The construction of the Miri Arab Madrasah goes back to Sheikh Sayyid Abdullah al-Yamani Khazaramavti, a highly respected scholar and mystic of Yemeni origin. Al-Yamani enjoyed the trust and admiration of Ubaidullah Khan, a ruler of the Shaybanid dynasty, who provided him with the funds to build this remarkable institution.

The financing of the construction remains shrouded in legend to this day. One version says that 3,000 Persian prisoners were sold into slavery to finance the project. Another version claims that the funds were raised through military campaigns. Historians also disagree on the exact year of construction of the madrasah: some sources date the construction to the years 1535 to 1536, while others assume that the madrasah already existed before the death of Sayyid Abdullah al-Yamani Khazaramavti in 1526 and was merely renovated in those years. After his death, the madrasah was given the name ‘Miri Arab’, which means ‘property of the Arab’ – a reference to the Arab origin of its founder.

Architecture and construction
The Miri Arab Madrasah is an impressive example of 16th century Islamic architecture and measures 73 x 55 metres. It rises majestically on a high platform opposite the Kalon Mosque and is surrounded by an ensemble that includes the Kalon Mosque and the Kalon Minaret. The harmonious interplay of these three buildings forms the architectural ensemble of Poi-Kalon.

The façade of the madrasah impresses with its complete cladding of artistic mosaics in bright shades of blue, which show plant motifs, geometric patterns and epigraphic inscriptions in the ornate Sülüs script. The central entrance portal with its semi-circular octopus vault is flanked by massive corner towers that culminate in emerald green domes. The cylindrical drums of these domes are decorated with ornate tiled mosaics that blend harmoniously into the overall picture.

Inside, the madrasah houses 111 spacious hujras (student rooms), which consist of a small living room, a main room with cupboard compartments and a storage room. The spacious aivans served as summer auditoriums where the students were taught. The large darshana (teaching hall) on the main façade, which also houses the founder’s tomb, is particularly impressive.

Spiritual significance and education
The Miri Arab Madrasah was not only a place of education, but also a centre of spiritual development. The spiritual influence of Miri Arab Madrasah, the Yemeni mystic Sayyid Shams ad-Din Abdullah al-Arabi, extended far beyond the walls of the madrasah. He was the spiritual leader of the Muslims of Bukhara and enjoyed great recognition at the courts of Muhammad Shaybani and Ubaidullah Khan.

Until 1920, the madrasah was part of the Emirate of Bukhara, which included areas of present-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and parts of Turkmenistan. After the Soviet Union came to power, the madrasahs were closed, but in 1945 Mufti Eshon Bobokhon succeeded in reopening the Miri Arab Madrasah. Until 1989, it was the only madrasah in the entire USSR where Islamic education was taught.

Studying at the madrasah took nine years, or four years if the students had already completed a secular education. The curriculum included both secular and religious subjects and was strictly supervised by the USSR Council for Religious Affairs. The number of students was deliberately kept small, and only between 40 and 80 people studied here each year.

A place of wisdom and spirituality
The madrasah was not only an educational centre, but also a spiritual sanctuary. The internal open portals along the courtyards served as summer classrooms and offered students a quiet place to study. The exterior decoration with carved mosaics containing complex floral ornaments and calligraphic inscriptions emphasises the high level of craftsmanship of the master builders of the time.

Many of the most important Islamic scholars, poets and cultural personalities of the Orient received their education in the Miri Arab Madrasah. To this day, it is considered one of the most prestigious Islamic educational institutions and trains the next generation of muftis (Islamic jurists).

The Miri Arab Madrasah is far more than just an impressive building. It is a symbol of the deep spiritual and intellectual tradition of Central Asia. Its magnificent architecture, the fascinating history of its founders and its centuries-long role as a centre of knowledge make it an indispensable part of the cultural heritage of Bukhara and the entire Islamic world. To this day, it attracts pilgrims, students and tourists from all over the world and remains a shining symbol of wisdom, faith and education.