Story & Architecture
A house of worship raised by a family’s devotion, an architect’s sense of proportion and a designer’s attention to light.
A child’s devotion
After Semiha Şakir was laid to rest in Karacaahmet — one of Istanbul’s most historic cemeteries — her children resolved to build a mosque at its gate in the name of their parents, İbrahim and Semiha Şakir. Construction, carried out by the Semiha Şakir Foundation, began in 2005 and the mosque opened for worship in May 2009.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever builds a mosque seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him the like of it in Paradise.” (Bukhari 450; Muslim 533)
Today it is a place where those visiting the graves of loved ones pause to pray, where the neighbourhood gathers five times a day, and where guests from around the world are welcomed in quiet.
Shākirīn is Arabic for “those who are grateful”, a word the Qur’an uses for the servants it gives glad tidings to: “And Allah will reward the grateful.” (Āl ‘Imrān 3:144)
The name also recalls the Şakir family, whose generosity built the mosque — so a family name meets a quality the Qur’an praises: thankfulness for a blessing, and sharing that blessing with others.
Construction began under the Semiha Şakir Foundation.
Completed in May, the mosque opened for worship.
Serving its congregation five times a day under the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
Architectural details
The classical Ottoman sequence of courtyard, fountain, dome and mihrab is preserved, while each element is reinterpreted through contemporary materials and light.
Dome & calligraphy band
The calligraphic band and inscriptions encircling the aluminium composite dome were designed and written by calligrapher Hüseyin Kutlu and executed by Semih İrteş.
The chandelier: a rain of light
Designed by Nahide Büyükkaymakçı, the chandelier is made of water-drop-shaped glass globes. Behind it is a prayer: that the light of Allah may fall upon those who pray like rain. “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.” (an-Nūr 24:35)
Mihrab & minbar
The mihrab, which marks the direction of prayer towards the Ka‘ba, and the acrylic minbar from which sermons are delivered, were designed by Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu Design and crafted by Prof. Tayfun Erdoğmuş.
Courtyard & fountain sphere
The fountain sphere at the heart of the courtyard was designed by William Pye, the British artist known for his water sculptures. Water keeps the courtyard’s centuries-old meaning alive: purity and calm.
Glass façades & light
The building is wrapped in glass on three sides; the windows were designed by Orhan Koçan and the lighting by Arnold Chan (Isometrix). Daylight shifts through the hours, so the interior changes with each prayer time.
Two minarets
Two slender minarets, each 35 metres tall, offer a contemporary reading of the classical silhouette. Five times a day, the call to prayer rises from them over Üsküdar.