The Blue Mosque — Attraction in Fatih

Beautiful Masjid ❤️ Why to choose Islam? How To Become Muslim? What do I need to do to become Muslim? Can I convert to Islam by myself at home? Do I need to register anywhere to convert|islam? I was baptized as a child. Can I still convert to Islam? What are the steps to follow when converting and how do I practice it? How To Convert to Islam? How To Become Muslim? To be a Muslim, no formality is necessary, such as going to a mufti or imâm. To have faith, it is necessary to say the Kalima-i shahâda and to know its meaning. The Kalima Shahadah : (Ash’hadu an lâ ilâha illallâh wa ash’hadu anna Muhammadan abduhû wa rasûluhû). The meaning of The Kalima Shahadah : “I believe and testify that there is nothing and no one besides Allahu ta’ala who deserves to be worshipped and worthy of being worshipped. The real deity is only Allahu ta’ala.” He is the One who created everything. Every superiority is in Him. No defect exists in Him. His name is Allah. “I believe and testify that Muhammmad “alaihissalam”, is His servant and His Messenger, that is, His Prophet.” He is the exalted person who had a white, bright and lovely face, kindness, gentleness, soft-spoken, good-natured; whose shadow never fell on the ground. He is Abdullah’s son. He was called Arab because he was born in Mekka and a descended from Hashemite. He is the son of Hadrat Amina, the daughter of Wahab. Lexically iman means ‘to know a person to be perfect and truthful and to have faith in him.’ In Islam, ’îmân’ means to believe the fact that Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allahu ta’ala alaihi wa sallam’ is prophet of Allahu ta’ala; that he is the Nabi, the Messenger chosen by Him, and to say this with belief in the heart; and to believe in brief what he conveyed briefly and to believe in detail what he conveyed in detail from Allâhu ta’âlâ; and to say the Kalima-i Shahada whenever possible. Iman means to love everything which Muhammad ’alaihissalâm said and to approve, that is to believe, them by heart. Those people who believe in this manner are called Mu’min or Muslim. Each and every Muslim must follow Muhammad ’alaihis-salam. They must walk in the path he guided. His path is the path shown by the Qur’ân al-karîm. This path is called Islam. The basis of our religion is îmân. Allahu ta’âlâ neither loves nor accepts any worship or any good deeds of those who don’t have îmân. Any person who wants to be a Muslim must have îmân first. Then, he must learn ghusl, ablution, namâz and other fards and harâms whenever it...

We recently had the opportunity to attend Friday (Jummah) prayer at the historic Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Spiritually, it was a powerful and moving experience to pray in such an iconic and sacred space, surrounded by centuries of Islamic heritage. However, the experience was also marked by several organizational challenges that deserve attention. We arrived well in advance—at 12:45 PM for a 1:30 PM prayer—fully expecting large crowds, yet the main prayer hall was already full. While that speaks to the deep love and dedication of the worshippers, it also reflects the limited capacity and lack of clear crowd management. The courtyard area, where many people were forced to pray, was quite chaotic. One major concern was the lack of proper arrangements for women, which impacted the entire congregation. Women were seen walking in front of rows of men during the khutbah and prayer, not out of disrespect, but simply because there was no clear direction, space, or barriers provide. This disrupted the focus and serenity of the prayer, something that could easily be avoided with better planning and signage. Another concerning point was the presence of tourists—despite the mosque officially being closed to visitors during Jummah. We saw several tourists inside the mosque and courtyard, some dressed inappropriately, filming and taking photos while the khutbah and prayers were taking place. This created discomfort and distraction for those who had come to pray. In some cases, staff were shouting at women to move, adding to the disorganization and tension. Given the global importance and popularity of the Blue Mosque, and the predictable size of Friday congregations, it's surprising that these logistical issues have persisted for so long. With some thought and care, the mosque authorities could implement: . Clearer segregation and marked spaces for women, with adequate room . Volunteer or staff presence to guide worshippers calmly and respectfully . Improved signage and modesty guidelines at entrances

In conclusion, while the spiritual experience of praying in the Blue Mosque is unmatched, the lack of basic organizational arrangements, especially for women, detracts from the dignity and sanctity of the Friday prayer. We hope the mosque authorities will seriously consider improving these arrangements to ensure that all worshippers—men and women—can pray in peace, respect, and...

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is one of the most iconic and beautiful landmarks in Istanbul. It’s truly a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and a must-visit for anyone exploring the historic Sultanahmet area.

From the outside, the mosque is breathtaking — with its majestic domes and six towering minarets. The courtyard is spacious and serene, offering a perfect spot to admire the grandeur of the structure before entering.

Inside, the interior is stunning, adorned with thousands of blue Iznik tiles that give the mosque its famous name. The high domes, chandeliers, and intricate calligraphy create a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. Although some areas may occasionally be under renovation, it doesn’t take away from the overall beauty and experience.

The mosque is free to enter, but visitors should dress modestly (headscarf for women, no shorts for men). Scarves and covers are available at the entrance. It’s still an active place of worship, so you must remove your shoes and avoid visiting during prayer times — the staff at the entrance are helpful and guide tourists respectfully.

Overall, visiting the Blue Mosque is a humbling and enriching experience. Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or culture, this site delivers on all fronts. Just remember to be respectful of the religious setting and enjoy the...