Designed by a Lebanese architect, built by a Turkish company and a gift from the Emir of Qatar, Astana’s Central Mosque is a thoroughly international affair. The mosque’s central golden dome and four gold-capped minarets complement the white marble exterior, which was officially opened by the President in 2005. Inside, Kazakhstani artists have done a great job of painting the pastel-toned interior and prayers are held five times a day. If you can, visit at lunchtime on a Friday when the mosque bursts at the seams with an eclectic mix of people. One of 1,700 mosques built in Kazakhstan since independence, the renaissance of Islam is interesting to behold.