Istanbul Mufti's Office
Mosques in Istanbul prepare for Ramadan with traditional Mahya illuminations
As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches, mosques across Istanbul are gearing up for the spiritual occasion by adorning their minarets with illuminated messages known as mahyas, a tradition dating back centuries.
Allocation of botanical garden to top religious body stirs debate
The allocation of Istanbul University's Botanical Garden to the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) in 2015 for the use of the Istanbul Mufti's Office has stirred a debate in Turkey, with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) blasting the move.
Debate stirred after university botanical garden is allocated to Turkey's top religious body
The allocation of Istanbul University's Botanical Garden to the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) in 2015 for the use of the Istanbul Mufti's Office has stirred a debate in Turkey, with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) blasting the move.
New debate stirs on mosque construction in eastern Istanbul
Constructing a considerably large mosque in the heart of Istanbul's Asian side is among the plans published by Turkey's urbanization ministry, with a local municipality official saying the area in question is technically not convenient for construction.