We are a group of
students from different universities in Istanbul. We voluntarily introduce
visitors to our mosques, culture and Islam. As volunteers, we are officially
based at the Blue Mosque under the cooperation of the Presidency of Religious
Affairs of Turkey, the Blue Mosque Association and Marmara University Faculty
of Theology.
How long have you been
doing this?
Volunteers have been
operating out of the Blue Mosque for more than ten years. However, the current
group of volunteers and our team have been carrying out these services since
September 2018. After a humble start with a few students, this initiative has
grown and continues to grow day by day.
What are your
activities?
At the Blue Mosque Information
center, we give presentations about the mosque as well as Islam, and answer the
visitors’ personal questions during the noon and afternoon prayer times (when
the mosque is closed for visiting until the prayer is over). We also offer our
services inside the mosque during visiting hours, answering visitors’
questions. In addition to these, we offer refreshments and literature to guests
who attend the presentations or drop by in the Information Center.
What is your purpose in
doing this?
Our primary aim is to
enlighten our visitors about mosques, history, Istanbul and Islam, and also to
clear up possible misconceptions about Turkey and Islam. An additional benefit
of these activities is the potential to improve our language and communication
skills.
Are all your activities
free?
Yes. Since we are
volunteers, all activities provided by us to our visitors are free of
charge.
How can we find you in
the Blue Mosque?
First you need to find
Gate A, which is opposite Hagia Sophia. When you exit the mosque’s garden
through that gate, we are at the end of the road on the right, in the Blue
Mosque Information Center.
Can you inform us about
the mosques in your center?
If you ask us, we will
gladly offer you a free mosque tour.
Where did you learn to
speak English?
Our department in the
Faculty of Theology provides English education. That’s why most of our
volunteers learnt English in the university preparatory class. There are also
volunteers who took language courses individually, in addition to self-taught
volunteers.
Can we trust your
answers to our Islam-related questions?
We feel confident that
we are capable of answering these questions, since most of us are students or
graduates of Theology. We also arrange additional seminars, webinars and courses
to train our volunteers in specific skills and knowledge.
Do you have any
affiliations?
Our organization is
associated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, Blue Mosque
Association, and Marmara University Faculty of Theology.
