Derbent Spiritual Center
Lead Architect: Waleed Arafa
Architect: Daniel Kaldas [Design, Modeling, Visualization, 2D Drawings]
Architect: Adham Mohamed [Design, Modeling, Visualization, 2D Drawings]
Architect: Dina Moharram [2D Drawings]
Architect: Mario Magdy [Post Production]
Architect: Amena Toubar [Post Production]
Year
2021
Location
Derbent, Dagestan, Russia Federation
Scope
Invited Design Competition
Status
Shortlisted
Project Description
The Derbent Spiritual Center (DSC), located in the historic city of Derbent, Dagestan, Russia, is a landmark project designed to serve as a beacon of peace, unity, and interfaith harmony. Situated in a city renowned for its deep historical and cultural significance, DSC integrates architectural excellence with a profound social mission.
The project, commissioned by the New Land Foundation, is a master plan for a comprehensive spiritual and cultural hub. It unites worship spaces for three Abrahamic faiths—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—within a single harmonious framework. The centerpiece of the design is the Motherhood Tears Mosque, symbolizing universal resilience and the shared origins of humanity. Adjacent to the mosque are a synagogue and a Russian Orthodox church, together forming a visual and symbolic unity.
Concept
The DSC spans a comprehensive master plan that combines spiritual spaces with cultural, educational, and social facilities. The mosque accommodates 9,000 worshippers, while the church and synagogue each serve 900 worshippers. The center also includes classrooms, a library, lecture halls, a museum, a conference center, and multipurpose exhibition spaces. Community facilities such as marriage registration areas, funeral ritual spaces, and sports grounds further enrich the center's role as a community hub. Architecturally, the design draws inspiration from the cube, a form symbolizing the Kaaba in Makkah and representing the unity of monotheism. The structures are built with locally sourced Derbent yellow sandstone, integrating harmoniously with the surrounding landscape while reflecting the individual spiritual identities of the faiths they represent.
The project’s design philosophy extends to its landscaping, which features fruit gardens, amphitheaters, and water elements, creating an inviting and reflective environment. Accessibility is ensured through underground parking and strategically placed perimeter parking, maintaining the site's natural and architectural integrity. The Derbent Spiritual Center is more than a collection of buildings; it is a symbol of coexistence and dialogue, celebrating Derbent’s historical significance while fostering a vision of collective resilience and peace. This ambitious initiative reaffirms the city’s status as a beacon of cultural and spiritual unity for future generations.
