This is the Muradiye mosque, by the greatest Turkish architect, Sinan. It is one of his last works, from 1582-1585, who built it for Murat III.


On the picture (from right to left): The ‘minber’ (pulpit from where the ‘Friday sermon’ is given during the most important common prayer of Islamic week), the ‘mihrab’ (prayer niche, indicating the direction of Mecca), the small ‘vaaz kürsüsü’ (= a pulpit of all other sermons) and the platform for the singers (in the most distant – southeastern – corner). On special occasions – the last evening of Ramadan, Kandil (= birthday of the prophet Muhammad), and other – the solemn prayer can be accompanied by a male chorus reciting sacred texts.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: Website of ‘Manisa Il Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü’ .