Why is the new building near Suleymaniye Mosque causing public outrage?

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New Construction Near Istanbul's Suleymaniye Mosque Sparks Public Outrage Due to Scale and Impact on Historical Silhouette

A newly constructed multi-storey building near Istanbul's 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque has ignited widespread public anger. Critics argue that the construction disregards the historical integrity and aesthetic harmony of the UNESCO World Heritage site, a landmark representing the Ottoman Empire's golden age. Concerns are particularly focused on the building's scale, its deviation from approved plans, and the broader context of deteriorating historical fabric in the surrounding area.
Disregard for Proportion and Historical Silhouette

Esin Koymen, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Architects, expressed strong disapproval of the new construction, highlighting a "lack of recognition of any proportion or any limit." She specifically noted the "recklessness on a landmark historical compound," suggesting the building's scale and presence disrupt the established historical silhouette of the area. Mahir Polat, the cultural heritage director for Istanbul’s municipality, corroborated this, stating the building is six metres taller than initially approved and that its visual presence alters the historical skyline viewed from the Bosphorus.
Concerns Over Botched Restoration and Historical Fabric Erosion

The controversy is compounded by broader issues of historical preservation in Istanbul. Opponents of the new build cite instances of "botched restoration work" on other historical edifices, fueling calls for greater protection of such sites. Polat further elaborated that the building in question is not the sole threat, pointing out that many other constructions in the vicinity pose risks. He revealed that of the 525 historical mansions originally present at the Suleymaniye compound, only 50 now remain, indicating a significant erosion of the area's historical fabric. The municipality has indicated plans to actively restore this vanishing historical context.
Political Polarization and Exploitation of Sacred Values

The situation has become politically charged, with the Istanbul municipality, controlled by the opposition CHP, sealing the under-construction building based on the city's zoning plan. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu tweeted his commitment to preserving Istanbul’s historical and spiritual values. In contrast, the Foundation for the Expansion of Knowledge, which owns the building and is chaired by Bilal Erdogan, son of President Erdogan, insists the construction of a student dormitory is lawful. The foundation's acting chairman, Nurettin Alan, accused the municipality of politicizing the issue and stated they would not engage in actions that harm the "soul" of Suleymaniye, while a Twitter user lamented that "sacred values are being exploited for profit."
Broader Implications for Cultural Preservation

Esin Koymen lamented that cultural affairs have increasingly become a political tool, fostering polarization that undermines universal preservation principles. She suggested that differentiating between preserving historical mosques and Byzantine heritage can lead to labeling individuals as pro-government or opposition, respectively, obscuring the common goal of heritage protection. Polat echoed this sentiment, advocating for the separation of culture and politics, noting that political actors operate on shorter time spans compared to the centuries-long existence of historical sites like Suleymaniye.

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Why is the new building near Suleymaniye Mosque causing public outrage?

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