Şakirin Camii in Istanbul, the only Turkish mosque decorated by a woman<

(This article was published for the first time in 2009)

Üsküdar, Istanbul shopping district on the Asian bank, is home to many mosques dating from the prestigious Ottoman Empire, some of which are signed by the greatest architect in the matter, Sinan.Since May 8, 2009, şakirin Camii, the lastborn, decides radically with all its neighbors.

Koran verses decorate the glass walls of the şakirin mosque in Istanbul

We must first take the immense avenue which starts from the pier and climbs towards the heights of üsküdar.On the left is the Zeynep Kamil hospital which saw the birth of almost all of the children on this bank, before the presence of private establishments.This establishment is the most important maternity of Asian Istanbul.Pastel colors arrangements presented in nearby flower stores are there to testify.

The largest cemetery on the Anatolian side of the city, Karaca Ahmet Mezarlıği, is near.Two minarets point to the sky in the middle of the superb trees in the sector.

The first impression is a mixture of skepticism and disappointment by observing the minarets.Where are the usual lace, the worked drawings that characterize the Turkish mosques?These are stripped, almost sad...

But by approaching the immense gate which allows to penetrate inside the cemetery, magic begins to operate.

Şakirin mosque in Istanbul

A futuristic line, a dome in aluminum composite which rubs shoulders with a multitude of small domes below which is the interior courtyard, the tone is set.If the crescent moon and the two minarets were not there, one could imagine ourselves in front of a sports complex or a reception room.

Şakirin mosque in Istanbul

Zeynep Fadilioğlu, 53 at the opening of the mosque, is the designer and designer of Hüsrev Tayla, the architect in charge of the realization.

The Turkish-Saudi siblings Gazi, Gassan Ve Ghada şakir entrusted the design and decoration of this place of worship to Zeynep Fadilioğlu.This mosque is dedicated to their parents Ibrahim and Semiha as well as to the love that the latter had to the city of Istanbul.

At the entrance to the şakirin mosque in Istanbul

The emotion is strong by passing the door which gives access to the prayer room.The sun illuminates the places where the feminine touch is immediately perceptible.A man hums verses from the Koran, impassive.

First interior vision of the prayer room of the şakirin mosque in üsküdar/Istanbul

The interior of this mosque does not look like any other.The Mihrab, which indicates the direction of Mecca, consists of gold and turquoise colors and its rounded shape is unusual.Two glass libraries surround him.

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Minbar, light tones and light materials, starts towards the dome...Something to stay mouth!It takes time to admire, absorb, digest this completely unusual revolutionary vision.

Religion, traditions and architecture do it perfectly well in hand for the greatest happiness of the eyes.

The Mihrab and the Minbar of the şakirin mosque in Istanbul, shapes, colors ...

For the realization of this prestigious work, entrusted for the first time in the world to a woman, the designer surrounded herself with a team of essentially feminine architects.

The mosque occupies an area of 10,000 m2 and can receive 500 faithful.For the time being, we come to be photographed with the family or alone, often in front of the mihrab.

Chandelier of the şakirin mosque in üsküdar/Istanbul

The chandelier, made up of hundreds of glass drops, is surmounted by Koranic writings in gold and silver letters.

The glass drops of the chandelier are truly fascinating.Each of them allows you to see the interior of the mosque upside down ... Sometimes one of them seems to be crashing on the sweet carpet.

Glass drop of the luster of the şakirin mosque in üsküdar/Istanbul

The floor, reserved for women, can touch some drops of the finger.Harmony is perfect between the materials used, the brightness, the decoration and the main destination of the place.

In the middle of the interior courtyard sits a metal ball where the water runs permanently.She too, just like glass drops, reflects the magic of the site.

Those who live in Istanbul or who come there regularly can devote a little of their time to the visit of this amazing mosque, a walk that can be extended in the huge Karaca Ahmet cemetery and its magnificent trees.