Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has restored a historical mosque and a tomb in the capital Baghdad, named after Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdulkadir Geylani.
The restoration process started last year and as part of the work, the white dome built by Turkish famous architect Mimar Sinan, was restored. A new minbar, mihrab and a chandelier were parts that’ve been added during the restoration process.
Sayyid Halit Mansur Geylani, in charge for Abdulkadir Geylani Complex thanked TIKA for completing the restoration. Speaking to IHA, Sayyid Halit Mansur Geylani said “The 10th Ottoman Empire Sultan, Kanuni Sultan Sulieman asked the chief engineer of the Ottoman Empire, Mimar Sinan, to go to Baghdad and have two white domes built on the tomb of Sheikh Abdulkadir Geylani. Afterwards, restorations continued during the reigns of Sultan Ahmet, the son of Sultan Muhammad, Sultan Murat 4th, Sultan Abdulaziz and finally Sultan Abdulhamid.” Stating that the restoration of the mosque and the tomb has been completed, Mansur Geylani noted that they are waiting for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the opening, and said, “Al-Hadra al-Kadiriye will invite President of Turkey Erdogan for the opening of the Ahnaf Mosque, which is located in the Sheikh Abdulkadir Geylani Tomb. We have been waiting for this opening for 2 years, which has been delayed due to security issues and Covid-19. We have not accepted the opening of the mosque in the absence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.”