Controversy over 'shorts-wearing pose in mosque' continues to stir Van

In recent days, tourists have been seen entering the Hüsrev Paşa Mosque, a rare example of Ottoman architecture built in 1567, wearing shorts and similar clothing.

It has been noted that not only foreign tourists but also some local visitors have been using the mosque as if it were a photo studio, speaking loudly, posing inappropriately, and failing to observe proper dress codes.

SHORT-WEARING POSE IN FRONT OF THE MINBAR

Despite warnings issued last week, the situation in the mosque has not been brought under control.

While headscarves were left at the entrance of the mosque, some Iranian tourists were seen wearing the headscarves but, because they were not wearing skirts, were photographed in front of the minbar wearing short shorts.

WARNING SIGNS IN FOUR LANGUAGES

It was reported that visitors are also ignoring warning signs written in Turkish, English, Arabic, and Kurdish that state, "In the Islamic religion, the courtyard of a mosque is considered as important as the interior of the mosque."

The mosque congregation emphasized that the failure of local and foreign tourists to follow dress codes at the Hüsrev Paşa Mosque, a work of Mimar Sinan, negatively affects the spiritual atmosphere, and they requested that visitors dress appropriately when visiting the mosque.

The Metropolitan Municipality has assigned three female staff members to monitor the mosque.

However, it was stated that the staff do not work during busy weekend visits and are insufficient.