The outcome of the works carried out in the Kariye Mosque, where Muslims are waiting to be opened to worship with great longing, is being wondered.
Our newspaper, which continues its close follow-up on the subject, has received new information.
According to the information we have obtained, there are no obstacles to the opening of the Kariye Mosque.
Citizens in the region, who demanded that the Kariye Mosque be opened for worship as soon as possible, said that they could not understand why the opening was still not happening.
REMOVING RAIN GUTTERS TAKE ATTENTION
A remarkable event took place during the restoration work in the Kariye Mosque, which was expected to be opened with great enthusiasm. According to the detail that did not go unnoticed, the rain gutters on the exterior were removed.
Local people, who stated that the interior of the mosque was damaged by getting wet in rainy weather due to the removal of the gutters, also noted that the gutters should be placed again.
CITIZENS ARE LONGING
Citizens have been demanding the opening of the Kariye Mosque for worship for years and longing for the day when their wishes will come true.
It is of great importance that the Kariye Mosque, which started to be used as a mosque after the Conquest of Istanbul and whose voices echoed on its walls until 1945, reopened for worship.
In November 2019, the Council of State made a satisfactory decision regarding the Kariye Mosque, which was turned into a museum with the decision of the Council of Ministers dated 29.08.1945.
Evaluating the issue of opening the Kariye Mosque to worship, the Council of State decided that "the mosque cannot be used outside of its primary function" and ruled that the 1945 decision was not in accordance with the law.
HOURS BEFORE THE OPENING, IT IS DELAYED
Following the decision of the Council of State regarding the Kariye Mosque, with the Presidential decree published in the Official Gazette dated August 21, 2020, it was decided to turn the Kariye Mosque over to the Presidency of Religious Affairs and open it for worship.
Visiting the Kariye Mosque a few days after the Presidency's decision on the matter, the President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş said, "With this decision, the process began. There are actions to be taken inside. Hopefully, it will be opened to worship as soon as possible after these procedures are completed. We will start with a Friday prayer,” he said. While the Kariye Mosque was expected to be opened for worship, a shocking statement came from the Directorate of Religious Affairs. In the statement made, the opening of the Kariye Mosque, located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, for worship has been postponed to a later date due to the continuation of the progress of the preparations. It is announced to the public with respect."
PROMISED "TO BE OPENED AT END OF THE YEAR"
The Kariye Mosque, which had been announced one day before its opening, whose carpets were hastily removed, and whose pulpit was dismantled, was put under restoration again.
We asked the General Manager of Foundations, Burhan Ersoy, about the latest developments regarding the Kariye Mosque, which was decided by the Council of State that "the mosque cannot be used outside of its original function" and was transferred to the Diyanet with the Presidential decree, and we were informed that the mosque will be opened at the end of 2021.
Ersoy, who made a statement to our newspaper on the subject, noted that the tender was held within the scope of the mosque restoration and that the works were continuing.
Ersoy, in his statement, said that they plan to open the Kariye Mosque towards the end of the year.