Sultan Ahmed Mosque by Erin Dorr

Sultan Ahmed Mosque

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Located in Istanbul, Turkey and is also known as the Blue Mosque

History of the Mosque

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Construction started in 1609 and completed in 1616.

Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I; known for its blue tiles surrounding the interior walls, which give it the nickname "Blue Mosque."

The mosque was built to reassert Ottoman power and counter the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia.

Language Spoken

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They speak Turkish, the official language of Turkey.

Virtual Tour

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Location

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The mosque is located in the historic center of Istanbul, in the Sultanahmet district, facing the Hagia Sophia and the Bosphorus.

Government

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Unitary presidential constitutional republic: Turkey is a democratic, secular, and unitary state. The President of Turkey is both the head of state and the head of government, and the country has a multi-party system.

Branch of Islam: Sunni

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The majority of Muslims in Turkey adhere to Sunni Islam, specifically the Hanafi school of thought. There are also smaller communities of Shia Muslims and Alevis. Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam and Sunnis believe that the Quran is the literal word of God.

Percentage of Muslims in the Country: Approximately 99%

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Islam is the dominant religion in Turkey. Although the country is officially secular, Islam plays a significant role in cultural and social life.

Major Festivals Celebrated

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Ramadan: A month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, ending with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr: Celebrated at the end of Ramadan with feasts, family gatherings, and giving of gifts and charity.
Eid al-Adha: Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

History of Islam in the Country

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Islam was introduced to the region in the 11th century by the Seljuk Turks, who migrated from Central Asia.

Ottoman Empire: The religion became dominant during the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. The Ottomans established a powerful Islamic state that lasted until the early 20th century, spreading Islam to Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Modern Turkey: After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the Republic of Turkey in 1923, implementing secular reforms. Despite these changes, Islam remains a central part of Turkish identity.

Works Cited

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Attar, Eslah. “Why Ramadan Is the Most Sacred Month in Islamic Culture.” Culture, 7 Apr. 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/ramadan#:~:text=Muslims%20believe%20that%20in%20A.D.

Dalal, Dr. Radha . “The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) – Smarthistory.” Smarthistory.org, smarthistory.org/the-blue-mosque-sultan-ahmet-camii/#:~:text=The%20Sultan%20Ahmet%20Mosque%2C%20popularly.

Field, Jacob. “Blue Mosque | Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey | Britannica.” Www.britannica.com, 19 July 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/Blue-Mosque-Istanbul-Turkey.

“Islam in Turkey.” Rpl.hds.harvard.edu, rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/islam-turkey.