In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city of Semey became one of the major centers of Muslim culture, education, and science in the territory of the Russian Empire in present-day eastern Kazakhstan. More than 10,000 Muslims lived in the city, which accounted for over a third of the total population. Since 1821, 8 Muslim schools operated in Semey, and by 1888, the number of mosques reached 11. In the 1900s, Muslims established a charitable society and opened a Muslim library in 1904-1905. In 1914, a decision was made to name the library after the Crimean Tatar public figure Ismail Gasprinsky. In 1865, due to domestic waste issues, it was impossible to relocate the cemetery, and the "Muslim cemetery" was left in its original location. Between 1873 and 1884, the cemetery issue was discussed several times between the city authorities and the Muslim community. In 1884, the Muslim cemetery was officially included in the Master Plan of the city of Semey. The cemetery was known among the people as the "Tatar cemetery," "Nogai cemetery," and later as the "Muslim cemetery," while from 1833 to 1885, it officially bore the name "Muslim cemetery" ("Bozok" State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, 2024).
Historical data
"Muslim burial ground" is located in Abai region, in the city of Semey, at the intersection of Morozov and Abai streets. In the northwestern part of the burial ground, modern buildings surrounded by a reinforced concrete fence are adjacent, while to the west, Radishchev street runs. The Muslim burial ground is situated at the foot of a mountain: the Irtysh river flows from the south, and the eastern part is a low-lying area. The burial ground area is enclosed by a brick fence with rectangular pillars. The pillars are topped with four-sided metal or concrete caps. The strip fence runs along the entire perimeter of the burial ground. Although in some places the height of the fence is low, its overall condition is satisfactory.