Did you know that the Filiz Camii’s story is a testament to community spirit? The Filiz Camii stands here in \u015ei\u015fli Istanbul. It offers a glimpse into the religious life of the city.
Let’s delve into the story of the Filiz Camii. It began in the late 1960s. Specifically, it was between 1967 and 1968. Local residents joined forces. They wanted to create a new place of worship.
Imagine the scene. Neighbors pooled their resources. They contributed what they could. Their collective effort led to the construction of this beautiful mosque. The Filiz Camii is not just a building. It is a symbol of unity.
The land on which the Filiz Camii stands is owned by the T\u00fcrkiye An\u0131tlar Derne\u011fi. This association supports historical monuments in Turkey.
The Filiz Camii covers 700 square meters. It has a fevkani design. This means it has an elevated structure of 300 square meters. You enter from Galataderesi Street. The entrance is towards the rear on the right.
Since it is a fevkani building steps lead up to the courtyard. The Şişli Municipality added a tea room and reading room. It covers about 50 square meters. This space is on the upper floor behind the mosque.
Notice the exterior stone cladding. The Filiz Camii’s harim or main prayer hall accommodates 11 rows of worshippers. It provides 225 square meters of space.
The Filiz Camii has a reinforced concrete structure. A large dome sits atop four main pillars. Smaller domes are placed at each corner of the main dome. This design squares off the edges.
Inside, a muezzin’s platform is on the right side of the harim. An office for the staff is behind the left side of the harim. Ten windows illuminate the main prayer hall.
The gallery has a depth of 4.5 meters at the back. Its sides extend 1.5 meters. Twelve windows surround the harim. The pillars supporting the harim and gallery are covered in blue-toned tiles.
Around the dome’s base are twelve windows. Calligraphic art adorns the dome’s edges. The Ayet el-Kürsi surrounds the mihrab. Above the mihrab niche is written “Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque”. The Fatiha Surah is in the dome’s center. The final three verses of the Hashr Surah are on the dome’s belt.
The Filiz Camii’s walls feature round designs. They bear the names of Allah. Also the name of Muhammad. The names of the four caliphs appear too. You can also see Hasan, Hüseyin and the Ashara-i Mübeşşere.
Above the door to the last congregation area is a verse. It is from the Nisa Surah. It says “Indeed prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times”.
The Filiz Camii’s mihrab, minbar and kürsü are adorned with tiles. The kürsü attaches to the wall without a base. A large crystal chandelier hangs from the main dome. The mosque has an air conditioning system.
The last congregation area is covered by three domes. Glass surrounds this area. The front is covered in tiles. The entry door is aluminum. The door to the harim is wood and double-leafed. Three rows of worshippers can pray here.
The Filiz Camii’s minaret has two balconies. It is made of natural cut stone. It stands to the rear right of the mosque. The mosque’s lower level serves as a Quran school with two classrooms.
Three lodgings belong to the Filiz Camii. The entire complex is within a stone-walled garden. Two officials serve the mosque. Two more work at the Quran school below.
The Filiz Camii is more than just a building. It represents the enduring power of community. Its story reminds us. Ordinary people can create extraordinary things when they work together.