The centuries-old custom of “mahyas” has as soon as once more begun in Istanbul days earlier than the beginning of the Islamic holy month on March 11.
Mahya is a standard Turkish Islamic artwork kind the place illuminated messages are hung between the minarets of mosques throughout the holy month of Ramadan. These messages are often product of lights organized to kind phrases or phrases from Islamic scripture, prayers, or messages of peace and solidarity.
The custom started with the Blue Mosque in 1619 throughout the reign of Sultan Ahmet I within the Ottoman Empire and has adorned mosques each Ramadan till immediately.
A mahya workforce led by Kahraman Yıldız, the apprentice of the final mahya grasp of the Ottoman Empire, Hacı Ali Ceyhan, made their last preparations on the workshop of the General Directorate of Foundations in Istanbul to hold the lights.
With the countdown to the Ramadan month, Yıldız and his workforce have began to hold the mahyas, adorning the minarets of the Eyüpsultan Mosque in Istanbul.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Yıldız acknowledged Monday that he has been practising his career for greater than 50 years since he began at 18, they usually plan to hold mahyas on the imperial-era mosques. Yıldız defined that his workforce will adorn a complete of eight historical mosques this yr, together with Selimiye Mosque in Edirne and Ulu Mosque in Bursa.
“This year, the theme of ‘Ramadan and the consciousness of the afterlife’ was determined by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). The Istanbul mufti gives concise words and we will write about them. We will hang five writings each for four mosques in Istanbul throughout Ramadan,” stated Yıldız.
“The mahyas we will hang on Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Blue Mosque will remain fixed. Lights reading ‘La ilaha illallah’ (‘There is no God but Allah’) on Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and ‘Muhammadün Rasulullah’ (‘Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’) in the Blue Mosque,” he added.
Yıldız defined that mahyas have been commissioned by the General Directorate of Foundations for hundreds of years. They put together a separate set for every mosque of their workshop, then arrange the equipment between the minarets and cling the lights.
Reiterating that the second, third and fifth days of Ramadan are for hanging a second message, Yıldız stated, “Then we display the third, fourth and fifth messages on the minaret. We remove the old messages and replace them with the new writing.”
Yıldız acknowledged that he doesn’t need to be the final grasp of his career, saying: “I have been trying to carry on with this job for almost 50 years. I hope the new friends will take over from us.” He described his career as lovely, giving messages by writing on the sky.
“Mahya making is actually a beautiful feeling. It’s an old Ottoman art, and we’re still trying to carry it on with our friends. I have Aziz Tosyalı with me; he is an old friend. A friend of the painter also came to help us this year. We are trying to carry out this job with three people,” he stated.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
