Anon

As much as I enjoyed my time in Türkiye, exploring its rich history, being hosted by its hospitable people, tasting its lovely food and witnessing its amazing architecture As a Muslim, I have to be objective I was saddened to see so many graves within the boundaries of mosques. I visited suleimaniye mosque as part of my tour of Istanbul and upon entering was going to pray Tahiyyatul masjid, but right outside the window next to the mimbar you can see dozens and dozens of graves and mausoleums so big they could be mistaken for masajid themselves I was saddened to see practices in the masajid that are not upon the Quran and sunnah People hanging up 🧿 amulets in their shops or outside their flats believing it’ll keep them safe Others trying to sell key rings or plaques with ayaat written on them, stating that these talismans will protect us and ward off evil I was saddened that at night the masajid would be closed so you could not do itikaf overnight; but if you wanted to drink and dance with women, then bars/clubs were open And it was sad seeing how secularised and liberal many Turks have become Those who don’t fast Those who don’t pray Those who are what you would call “culturally Muslim” They are not a small minority, trading their Muslim heritage for western hedonism and values in the name of “progress” Allah’s aid is sought One particularly sad event I was in a famous mosque, Fajr prayer was done and the sun had not long risen, A few metres behind me, a woman removed her hijab whilst she was inside the mosque Note that this was outside of tourist visiting hours I assumed it was because she was adjusting it A few minutes go by and she’s still got her hair out. So I politely ask her to cover her hair A few more minutes go by and she’s still got her hair out, so I go to her and ask her again to cover her hair as this is a mosque and it’s about showing respect It is well known even amongst non Muslim tourists that women should cover their hair when visiting mosques But She gives me a dirty look, kisses her teeth in arrogance and (in Turkish) says “I know I know, you said it already” in a mocking tone The lack of respect was astounding Not for me Not even for herself But for Allah, IN A MOSQUE Was very sad to see Even some of the Turkish brothers I met in the mosques would lament the state of Islam and Muslims in the country May Allah guide the people and rulers of our nations, protect us from shirk and innovation and enable us to stand for and spread tawheed for Allah’s sake alone