BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 26. On September 25, 2025, the International Scientific-Practical Conference dedicated to the 275th anniversary of the outstanding Sufi mentor and enlightener Beket ata Myrzagululy commenced in Aktau, jointly organized by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Akimat of the Mangystau region ,TurkicWorld reports.
The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation was represented at the conference by the organization’s Project Manager, Talgat Mukhanov, who conveyed the greetings of the Foundation’s leadership and informed participants about the cultural projects implemented by the institution, particularly in the field of research and promotion of the common heritage of the Turkic peoples. He emphasized the significant role of Beket ata Myrzagululy’s legacy in strengthening the spiritual unity of the Turkic world and underlined the importance of its further exploration by the international academic community.
The event is being held within the framework of the program “Aktau – Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025.” The conference agenda covers the rich spiritual and philosophical legacy of Beket ata, his role in the culture of the Turkic world, as well as topical issues related to the preservation and promotion of sacred underground mosques in Oglandy and Old Beineu.
The conference, with the participation of scholars from Turkic states and representatives of international research centers, aims to strengthen cooperation in the fields of science and culture and contribute to the promotion of the unique religious-architectural heritage of Central Asia worldwide.
The main scientific directions of the conference are dedicated to the study of the architectural and historical significance and protection status of underground mosques, as well as the application of modern approaches to restoration, preservation, and tourism development. Within this framework, scholars and experts will discuss the role of underground mosques in spiritual and cultural life, their preservation, and their transmission to future generations.
The thematic sections of the conference cover two main areas. The first section – Historical and Cultural Heritage – focuses on the protection, restoration, and promotion of Beket ata mosques, as well as issues of sacred tourism and sustainable development. The second section – History and Ethnography – is devoted to archival and source studies and the analysis of the role of spiritual heritage in contemporary society.
The conference brought together the Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan, Nauryzbay Qazhy Taganuly, Deputy Akim of Mangystau region Tilegen Abishev, university professors and prominent scholars from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Bashkortostan, as well as experts in archaeology, architecture, restoration, museology, history of religions and ethnography, alongside representatives of international scientific research centers.
The event is expected not only to strengthen scientific dialogue but also to become an important platform contributing to the preservation and international promotion of the common cultural heritage of the Turkic world.
