Oktay Saral responds sharply to objections against Kadıköy mosque project: 'The issue is intolerance'

Debates continue regarding the mosque project planned for the reclaimed land on the Kadıköy waterfront, which has long been used as a green space.

Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı made a notable statement yesterday, criticizing the overturning of the cancellation decision for the mosque by the appellate court.

Emphasizing that the people of Kadıköy should have a say in matters concerning the district, Kösedağı reminded that there are already multiple historic mosques within walking distance of the reclaimed area where the mosque is planned to be built.

Stating that no opinions were sought from the residents of Kadıköy and that there was no demand for it, Kösedağı expressed that the mosque and underground parking functions would further increase the already heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic in and around Kadıköy Square.

AKP DEPUTY RESPONDS TO KÖSEDAĞI

Another reaction to the criticisms from the Chamber of Architects and Kösedağı came from İsa Mesih Şahin, who joined the AKP after resigning from his party following his election on the CHP lists.

Sharing an image taken in Kadıköy on his social media account, Şahin wrote the following note:

"Whenever the construction of a mosque in Kadıköy comes to the agenda, the same classic objections are always raised! I shared this photo frame 9 years ago during my time as the Kadıköy District President.

I said it then, and I am saying it now; a new mosque is a need for the center of Kadıköy, period. Our mosques are our sacred places of worship, and it is not right to make them a subject of political polemics.

A mosque to be built on the Kadıköy coast will add value and meaning to the silhouette of our Istanbul."

SARAL: A MOSQUE IS NOT A SUBJECT OF POLEMIC

Quoting the post in question, Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral said, "This stance, which voiced the need for a mosque in Kadıköy years ago, is extremely justified and appropriate."

Saral continued his post with the following statements:

"Fighting with the identity of a city and having problems with its faith does not make anyone democratic. The mentality that opposed the mosque in Taksim is showing the same reflex in Kadıköy today.

The issue is not urban planning; the issue is intolerance. A mosque is the place of worship of this nation; it should be a subject of respect, not a subject of polemic."

News Source: 12punto