Miri-Arab Madrasah, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Active Miri-Arab Madrasah is situated opposite to Kalyan Mosque. This is one of the most esteemed spiritual Islamic universities in the post-Soviet territory. It was constructed in the time of the Shaybanids in the 16th century for trophies gained by Shaybani-khan's nephew Ubaidallah-khan (died in 1539). The Khan gave them to his teacher Miri-Arab ('Prince of Arabs') who was the head of Bukhara Muslims. He came from Yemen and was a pupil of Khodja Akhrar. Madrasah has traditional layout, i.e. two floors with hudjras surrounding a four-aivan yard.

Miri-Arab Madrasah, Bukhara - old photo

Classrooms occupy three corners of the building. The fourth one contains a necropolis of Ubaidallah-khan and Miri-Arab. The khan's tomb with a wooden gravestone in magnificent Yemen style is situated at the foot of Miri-Arab's tomb. The portal in the center of the facade has a semi-octahedral arch. Mosque and gur-khana with domes on high cylindrical drums are behind two-sto- rey loggias of the facade. The external decor is covered with carved mosaics of vegetative ornaments and complex Sulth script.

Miri-Arab Madrasah, nowadays