My Istanbul Guide

Istanbul has many historical mosques. Some of them are magnificent and some are tiny ones. I think they all deserve to be visited. It is clear if you have a short time to spend in Istanbul, you are going to prefer to visit the well known mosques.

I would like to say a few words about mosque visiting due to my and friends’ experiences. Firstly, all visitors are very welcome for their visit. There are museums and historical places that visitors would enjoy in Istanbul but mosques have some circumstances. Mosques like The Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet Camii), The New Mosque ( Yeni Camii), Bayezid Camii ( or Beyazıt Camii) are active places of worship. So, the visitors are accepted as guests in these places. Therefore, guests should follow the rules and restrictions to not to disrupt the usual flow.

Blue Mosque Visit

There are a few written instructions in front of some of the mosques for non-muslim visitors. I saw in the entrance of The Blue Mosque and The New Mosque. Also, there are dedicated attendants who help visitors. If we specifically mention about The Blue Mosque, tourists are directed to right hand side in the entrance and helpers provide covers and headscarves. If you have a chance for it, bring yourself. All visitors and local people must take off their shoes in the entrance. Because, ground of all mosques and masjids are covered with carpet and strictly must be clean. As you see, there will be palstic bags available to take your shoes with you. By the way, wheelchairs are available at the entrance of the Blue Mosque for needing visitors.

The issue is that;  guys must not wear shorts that is shorter than under knee level and women must cover their legs, shoulders and heads( of course except face). I can suggest to wear trousers for both women and men for convenience. I don’t know what non-muslims feel about these issues but I simply could say those instructions are not for visitors, those are rather for worshipping muslims inside the mosque.

Moreover, everyone visits well-known mosques but I want all tourists to feel free to enter any mosque and get to observe and/or enjoy. I personally like tiny mosques and gratefully Istanbul is full of mosques and masjids. In other mosques, you might not find any instruction or attendants but you still should take care of your covering and shoes. Women should bring their own covers too.

About Mosque and Masjid

Mosque means Camii and Masjid means Mescid in turkish language. Mosques are muslims’ big and collective places of worship. Masjids are small places that are used for praying by muslims. Friday prayer are mostly held in mosques so parts for khutba and minbar are not included in masjids. This kind of use is for Turkiye and mosque and masjid words may be used for each other in other countries. Masjid is a noun of place from the verb sajada (root “s-j-d,” meaning “to bow” or “to kneel”) in reference to the prostrations performed during Islamic prayers. The word of mosque comes form the word of “mezquita” was inherited from Andalusia Islamic Civilization that used to live in Spain. The mosques have more functions than being a place for prayer too.

Lastly, this nice video  taken in the Blue Mosque and  may give quick clues about “how to wear in a mosque”.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to hearing your Istanbul mosque visiting experience!