Ever heard of a mosque designed by the same architect who planned mosques in Turkmenistan and Japan? That’s the Yunus Emre Moschee. Let’s step closer to explore its story.
The Yunus Emre Moschee stands as a testament to Berlin’s diverse religious landscape. It is located on Reinickendorfer street. The mosque serves as a vital center for the local Muslim community. It provides a place for prayer, education, and community gatherings.
This mosque is named DİTİB Yunus Emre Camii. It shares its name with the famous Turkish poet and Sufi mystic Yunus Emre. He is known for his emphasis on divine love and humanism.
The Yunus Emre Moschee officially opened its doors on January 1 1976. However, the building you see today is actually a result of reconstruction efforts. The cornerstone for the rebuilt mosque was laid in 1999.
Did you know that the architectural design comes from Turkey? The firm Hassa Mim Müch. Ltd. AS. designed the mosque. Muharrem Hilmi Senalp was the leading architect. He also designed mosques in Asgabat and Tokyo. He even prepared execution plans for the Sehitlik Mosque. Hüseyin Portakal from Augsburg calculated the statics. Tarkan Akarsu from Berlin oversaw the construction of the shell.
The Yunus Emre Moschee can accommodate up to 750 people. It is a rental property of DİTİB. Ömer Kaba and Fatma Demir Kaba are its religious scholars.
The mosque isn’t just a place of worship. It is also a hub for learning. Every summer, the Yunus Emre Moschee offers Koran courses for children. Hundreds of kids attend these courses to learn the Holy Koran. They also gain religious knowledge. These courses last for eight weeks with three hours of daily instruction. There is also a summer boarding school program for young people aged 12 to 18.
The first pillar of Islam is the Schahada. It is the expression of belief in one God and his messenger. Whoever says before witnesses: “I testify that there is no other god but him. And I testify that Muhammad is his servant and messenger” acknowledges Islam. This acknowledgement includes his angels and prophets. It includes the Holy Scriptures, resurrection and the Last Judgment. It also includes the Predestination theory.
As you leave the Yunus Emre Moschee, consider its role in Berlin. It’s a place of faith. It’s a center for education. It is a symbol of cultural exchange.