HODJA AHMED YASSAVI
His father Ibragim Mahmud was a literate man in the town of Sairam. Ahmed was born in the town of Yassy (Turkestan). His parents died when he was a little boy. Arstanbab was Akhmed's first spiritual teacher and mentor. After his death Hodja Ahmed continued his education in Bukhara where he studied a course of Sufi doctrine. After the graduation from the madrasah he visited many different places, but finally came back home and started his preaching.
Hodja Ahmed Yassavi taught people to be good and tolerant. His poems also were a subject of great popularity. The poet's fame grew year by year. His poems entered the world cultural treasury.
According to the legend Hodja Ahmed decided to express his respect to the prophet Mohammed by spending the rest of his life in the underground part of the mosque preaching when he reached the age of 63 (age of Mohammed at his death).
Later in XIV century Great Temir ordered to build a mausoleum which remains until our days impressing people by the giant beauty of it's shapes. Massive domes and huge facade of the mausoleum of 46 by 65 meters in the base with 2 meters thick walls reflects the real importance of the great mentor Hodja Ahmed Yassavi. Since 1982 this monument has been protected by the state guards. In 2009 UNESCO introduced it in the list of the world cultural heritage.
Source: Kazakhstan, National Encyclopedia, vol. 5