Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami

Navigating the vibrant tapestry of Istanbul, let’s pause at the Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami. This mosque, a beacon of Sunni Islam, stands as a testament to community perseverance and faith. Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami’s story is deeply intertwined with the dedication of Haci Nurettin Parçay. In 1976, a dream began to take root: to establish a place of worship for the Caferi community in Bahçelievler. This dream, however, faced fifteen years of obstacles before permission was finally granted to form an association. The search for land then began. A meeting with the then-mayor of Bakırköy, Naci Ekşi, proved fruitful, leading them to a plot of land owned by a woodcutter. Designated for a mosque, the 2600 square meter plot was purchased for 38 million. The construction of Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami commenced in 1989, with the foundation completed in 1995. Parçay has served as the association’s president since its inception. The Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami can accommodate 1200 worshippers. It boasts a spacious courtyard, a calming fountain, a tea room, a modern kitchen and dining hall, a mortuary, a three-story lodging, a library, and dedicated workspaces. The mosque serves a community of around two thousand Caferi Muslims, fostering strong relationships with people of all backgrounds. It is a place where people from various walks of life come together, particularly for Friday prayers. Originally, the mosque’s water and electricity were free. This changed when the AK Party came into power, resulting in a hefty fine for alleged unauthorized usage. Since then, the community has managed these expenses independently. Two dedicated imams, H. Sabri Sayan since 1990 and H. Ziya Tuncay since 1999, guide the spiritual life of the Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami. They lead prayers, organize programs during Ramadan and Muharrem, commemorate the births and martyrdoms of Ehlibeyt imams, and offer Quran courses and weekend classes for youth. The Bahçelievler Mehdiye Cami embodies not just a place of worship, but also the resilience, unity, and unwavering faith of a community.