“Hoca on numara vaaz verir” claims a review. But the Fatma Çelebi Camii is more than just a place for excellent sermons. It is a place of historical significance and has served various purposes throughout its existence.
The Fatma Çelebi Camii is located in Maltepe Istanbul. Once upon a time, Fatma Sultan ordered a beautiful camii to be built. This was after she noticed the old Peerî Ağa Mescidi near her palace was falling apart. She wanted a grander place of worship.
Let’s travel back to 1727-28. The famous poet Nedîm even wrote about its construction. He described Fatma Sultan as a woman of pure character. She decided to build a magnificent camii.
Küçükçelebizâde Âsım Efendi provided a detailed account. He wrote that Fatma Sultan wanted the camii to be larger and made of brick. It was adorned with chandeliers and lamps. Staff were appointed including an imam a hatip and muezzins.
The Fatma Çelebi Camii’s grand opening was attended by important figures. Sultan Ahmed III and Grand Vizier İbrahim Paşa were present. Şeyh Yahya Efendi delivered a sermon. Fatma Sultan herself visited the camii. She gifted robes to the sheikh preachers and other officials. Even the architects and muezzins received presents.
Interestingly the camii received financial support from afar. Revenue from Çetrofça and Zagoriça were allocated to the camii. This shows the widespread support it enjoyed.
Sadly Fatma Sultan’s life was cut short. She died at the young age of twenty-nine. She was buried in the Yenicami cemetery.
Over the years the Fatma Çelebi Camii faced many challenges. A fire in 1755 damaged the area. An earthquake caused further destruction. Despite these setbacks the camii was rebuilt by Mahmud II.
Later in the 1860s the camii became a center for the Nakşibendi order. It became one of Istanbul’s most important religious centers.
After the closure of religious orders in 1925 the camii was repurposed. It served as a gendarmerie post and warehouse. The minaret was partially demolished.
In the 1950s there were plans to restore the Fatma Çelebi Camii. However these plans never materialized. In 1956-1957 it was demolished completely. The land was turned into a car park and green space.
The original design of the Fatma Çelebi Camii remains a mystery. It was likely adorned in the opulent style of its time. The rebuilt camii featured a rectangular shape and a stone minaret. Inside it had simple features including a balcony a minbar and a mihrab. The walls were decorated with painted designs.
Today no trace of the Fatma Çelebi Camii remains. It is a reminder of Istanbul’s rich history. It is a testament to Fatma Sultan’s legacy. Although the camii is gone its story lives on.