The mosque's mihrab, or prayer niche, is distinctively shaped like a shell, breaking away from traditional flat wall designs.
The interior glass dome features verses from the Quran written in a modern, non-traditional calligraphy style by artist Semih İrteş.
The architect Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu studied the design of mosques for several years before drafting the plans to ensure the project respected Islamic tradition while utilizing contemporary materials.
The mosque is named after the Şakir family, who commissioned the building in memory of their parents.
The water basin in the courtyard is designed to act as a meditative reflecting pool, emphasizing a sense of stillness.
Unlike many traditional mosques, the women's prayer section is located on a mezzanine that provides a clear, unobstructed view of the main hall.
The exterior is clad in a specially developed material that combines traditional stone aesthetics with modern structural durability.
Şakirin Mosque is the first mosque in Türkiye to be designed by a woman, interior architect Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu. Opened in 2009, the structure is located at the entrance to the historic Karacaahmet Cemetery in Üsküdar. Its design diverges from Ottoman classical styles, opting for a modern aesthetic with extensive use of metal, glass, and composite materials. The interior features a striking, avant-garde mihrab and a glass-walled qibla wall that emphasizes transparency and natural light. A distinctive water feature in the courtyard, designed by William Pye, consists of a polished steel fountain that reflects its surroundings. The mosque utilizes a large chandelier made of glass drops that hangs over the main prayer hall. It serves both as a functioning house of worship and an architectural landmark of contemporary Islamic design. The complex includes an integrated funeral home and burial services, respecting its proximity to the cemetery.
The central courtyard, focusing on the polished steel fountain and the reflection of the mosque's modern minarets.
Check the prayer schedule before arrival, as tourists are asked to refrain from entering during congregational prayers.
Walk through the surrounding Karacaahmet Cemetery, one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Istanbul, after visiting the mosque.
Take time to examine the intricate calligraphy on the interior glasswork, which is a rare departure from stone or tile inscriptions.
Do not take photographs of people praying or performing ablutions, as this is considered highly disrespectful in a functioning mosque.
Visitors must dress modestly; women should cover their hair, and both men and women should have their shoulders and knees covered. Shoes must be removed before entering the carpeted prayer area.
