“A mosque in Taksim Square? For 150 years, this was just an idea.” Now, standing before the Takva Cami, we see that dream realized. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to persistence.
The story of Takva Cami begins long ago. Political tensions and the completion of a prominent church nearby fueled the desire for a mosque. People wanted a Turkish and Islamic architectural presence in Taksim Square.
The first attempt to build the Takva Cami occurred in 1952. The Monuments Association acquired land for the project in 1955. Sadly, it was never implemented. Another attempt arose in the mid-1960s. Prime Minister S\u00fcleyman Demirel planned to sell land for its construction. A court decision halted the allocation.
In 1979, another decision was made to build the Takva Cami. This happened during S\u00fcleyman Demirel’s time as prime minister. The September 12 coup led to the decision’s cancellation.
The 1980s saw renewed efforts under the ANAP government. Alaattin Elmas and his brother, Hayrettin Elmas, appealed to Prime Minister Turgut \u00d6zal. They wanted to build a mosque in Taksim. Their request was deemed inappropriate at the time. They passed this desire to build the Takva Cami onto their sons.
In 1991, the Taksim Mosque Culture and Art Foundation formed. Businessman \u0130brahim Arslan chaired it. Prominent figures like Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan were part of the foundation. A protocol was signed to correct the land plan. The property was to be left to the Directorate of Foundations. An application was made to the municipality in 1992. There was no response.
Construction finally began on February 17, 2017. It lasted four years. President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan inaugurated the Takva Cami on May 28, 2021.
Architects \u015eefik Birkiye and Selim Dalaman designed the Takva Cami in Neo-Art Deco style. The mosque can hold 3,000 people indoors and 4,000 in total. The building height reaches 20.70 meters. The outer dome height is 33 meters. Its inner dome measures 9.6 meters. The outer dome diameter is 28 meters. Two minarets stand at 64.8 meters tall.
Takva Cami sits behind the Taksim Maksemi. This is a stone water storage unit built in 1731. It faces the Atat\u00fcrk Cultural Center across Taksim Square. Istiklal Caddesi runs beside the mosque. The Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church is nearby.
The Takva Cami’s design has modern touches. These are not found in classical Ottoman Turkish architecture. The minaret balconies have unique shapes and proportions. The smaller cupolas around the main dome remind some of Mughal architecture.
Takva Cami stands as a modern mosque. It reflects a long history of effort and debate. The Takva Cami is a testament to faith and perseverance in the heart of Istanbul.