At the recent architectural exhibition “ArchMoscow 2023”, a new project of the Grand Mosque in Kazan was presented, in which the architects propose to erect a huge building in the form of a black cube with a domed prayer hall inscribed in it. This project, allegedly already approved by the leadership of Tatarstan, caused bewilderment and rejection of the participants of last year’s competition. The appeal to the forms of the Kaaba has precedents in the contemporary architecture of the mosque, which does not remove the question – how acceptable and appropriate is the exploitation of the image of the Meccan shrine? The article analyzes aspects of the originality of this project and its compliance with the tasks of the already held competition.