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Sultan Ahmet (Blue)Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 – Fatih / Istanbul
RELIGIONS Islam
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION The Blue Mosque (Called Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design.Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I. just like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasa and a hospice.Besides still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul.
Besides being tourist attraction, it's also a active mosque, so it's closed to non worshippers for a half hour or so during the five daily prayers.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE Following the Peace of Zsitvatorok (1606) and the unfavourable result of the wars with Persia, Sultan Ahmed I decided to build a huge mosque in Istanbul. It would be the first great imperial mosque to be built in more than forty years. His predecessors had paid for their mosques with their war booty, Sultan Ahmed I had to withdraw the funds from the treasury, because he had not won any notable victories during his time. This provoked the anger of the Ottoman ulema, the Muslim legal scholars.
He did appoint his royal architect Sedefhar Mehmet Aga, a pupil and senior assistant of the famous architect Mimar Sinan to be in charge of the Mosque construction. The opening ceremonies were held in 1617.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE Pope Benedict XVI visited the mosque in 2006 and stood in silent prayer.
By praying in the Blue Mosque in 2014, Pope Francis confirmed his great respect for Islam, one of the three great monotheistic religions in the world alongside Judaism and Christianity.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE The faithful people who hear the Ezani read from the minarets, perform their prayers as they have received their ablutions. On Fridays noon prayers and prayers of some other important religious days are made with the community on the mosques. Outside of these prayers can be performed anywhere in their time. Collective prayers in the mosques are done by reading the chapters from the Qur'an. During worship, the places of men and women are separate. The characteristic of classical Turkish mosques is that even in the most crowded days, it is convenient for the majority of the prayer-gathering community to easily see the mihrab.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS Direct visit of students can be organized by the school managements and teachers with guided tour at weekend.
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