Century-Old Mosques in Diyarbakır and Bingöl Reopening for Worship
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that 6 historical mosques, whose restoration has been completed following the earthquakes, will open their doors with Friday prayers.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that 6 century-old mosques in Diyarbakır and Bingöl, whose restorations were completed by the General Directorate of Foundations following the February 6 earthquakes, will reopen for worship with Friday prayers.
Sanctuaries Whose Restoration Is Complete
In a statement made via social media, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that 6 century-old sanctuaries whose restoration processes have been completed in Diyarbakır and Bingöl will reunite with their congregations. Ersoy emphasized that foundation heritages are being protected while the wounds in the earthquake region continue to be healed.
Works Reopened for Worship
Through the efforts carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations, the Ali Paşa, Melik Ahmet Paşa, Parlı Safa, Cafer-i Tayyar, and Hanbaşı mosques in Diyarbakır, as well as the Balaban Bey Mosque in Bingöl, have been made ready for worship once again. The collective opening ceremony for the works will take place at the Ali Paşa Mosque in Diyarbakır's Sur district.
Revival Based on Scientific Principles
Stating that the historical works were restored while preserving their original textures, Minister Ersoy expressed that earthquake damages were repaired and the structures were reinforced through scientific studies in each building. The ancestral heritage, from historical stonework to tiles, has been revived.
Ali Paşa and Parlı Safa Mosques
At the Ali Paşa Mosque, built in the 16th century, static problems caused by the earthquake were resolved under the supervision of a scientific committee, unqualified flooring was removed, and the upper cover was renewed in accordance with the traditional flat roof system. The heavily damaged minaret of the Parlı Safa Mosque was also reinforced.
Cafer-i Tayyar and Hanbaşı Mosques
Comprehensive work was carried out at the Cafer-i Tayyar Mosque and its tomb, primarily focusing on the historical minaret that was severely damaged in the earthquake. Repair work at the Hanbaşı Mosque was completed with reinforcement applications under the supervision of the scientific committee.
Melik Ahmet Paşa and Balaban Bey Mosques
Reinforcement work was carried out for the cracks in the dome, squinches, and load-bearing walls at the Melik Ahmet Paşa Mosque. Meanwhile, the heavily damaged minaret of the Akkoyunlu heritage Balaban Bey Mosque in Bingöl was rebuilt using original techniques.