Shams al-Din Borhani Khanqah

The Shams al-Din Borhani Khanqah is a valuable religious and historical monument in Mahabad County, West Azerbaijan Province. It stands in the village of Borhan, in the Central District of the county. Dating back to the Qajar period, it was registered on Iran's National Heritage List on 17 Esfand 1381 under number 7736. Shams al-Din Borhani was a prominent sheikh of the Naqshbandi order and a well-known figure of Sufism in Kurdistan and western Iran, who lived in the 14th century AH (lunar Hijri). After his death in 1325 AH, he was laid to rest in this khanqah, and the site gradually became one of the region's important religious and cultural centres.

The khanqah was originally built through the efforts of his followers and local people, and later became an important centre for teaching religious and mystical sciences. Various subjects, including jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, Quranic exegesis, philosophy, logic and mysticism, were taught here, so it functioned much like a seminary and a scholarly and cultural centre. The complex includes the tomb area, spaces for worship, and areas for gatherings and teaching, and in its time it played an important role in spreading Islamic learning and Naqshbandi mysticism in the region. The presence of scholarly and religious figures here made the Shams al-Din Borhani Khanqah one of the major cultural and spiritual centres in the west of the country. The building's architecture is simple yet spiritual, reflecting its mystical function and the Naqshbandi emphasis on simplicity and spirituality. The religious tomb and pilgrimage site of Sheikh Shams al-Din lies in the tall brick prayer hall of the khanqah. Besides his grave, the graves of several other notable figures can be seen here, including Ali Beig Heydari (poet and politician), Seif al-Qozat and Molla Saleh Hariq.

To reach the Shams al-Din Borhani Khanqah, drive from Mahabad along the Mahabad–Bukan road and, after about 10 to 35 kilometres (depending on the route you choose), you will arrive at the village of Borhan. The road to the village is paved, and the historic site can be visited in every season, but spring and autumn are better times to go thanks to the mild weather and the lush greenery of the area. The khanqah is surrounded by orchards and natural scenery, so besides its historical value, a visit offers a peaceful experience of the region's rural and mystical atmosphere. Visitors should respect the religious character of the complex and avoid causing disturbance or damage to the building.