The Şakirin Mosque, located on
the Asian side of Istanbul in the district of Üsküdar, is some distance from
many of the more famous buildings in Istanbul. Construction of the
mosque took four years. It is 10,000 square meters in area. It has two minarets,
each 35 meters high, and a dome of aluminum composite. From the outside the
design is sleek, metallic, and grey, which gives of a modern vibe of
contemporary architecture.

The dome is clad in fish-scale aluminum
panels and facades are finished in stone and aluminum mesh. The lighting
strategy and courtyard water feature, the bronze and glass doors and the
chandelier were all conceived by Fadillioglu to enrich the space with artistry.
Equally, the symbolic mihrab, which is abstracted into a sculptural work
of art that immediately draws the eye, the mimber and the calligraphy are new
interpretations of ancient Seljuk Turkish traditions. The overall effect is far
removed from the interior design of a typical mosque.

The calligraphy on
the interior of the dome was written by Semih İrteş. The large windows on three
sides of the prayer hall were designed by Orhan Koçan. The minbar is
acrylic and was designed by Tayfun Erdoğmuş. The large, asymmetrical chandelier has
waterdrop-shaped glass globes made by Nahide Büyükkaymakçı, “reflecting a
prayer that Allah’s light should fall on worshipers like rain,” the rings
of the chandelier are decorated with the 99 names of Allah, and the name of the
mosque (beside from reflecting the family name) is a literal meaning of “those
who are thankful (to God)” in Arabic, and the women’s section is designed specially
to allow a clear view of the chandelier. The fountain in the
courtyard was designed by William Pye.

The layout of the mosque sits largely
within the tradition of mosque architecture. A sahn (courtyard) surrounded by a riwaq
(cloister) precedes the main entrance in to the
mosque building. This entrance court is a common feature of Islamic religious
architecture and on Fridays worshippers will often occupy the sahn to pray if the main prayer hall is full. At the center
of the sahn is a pool
with domed fountain, the globe shape perhaps referencing the striking dome
of the mosque building. The mosque is built over a parking garage and
also includes an exhibition area.

Fadillioglu has worked to ensure that
the experience of praying for both genders in the mosque is very much equal.
When in the lower level of the prayer hall where the men pray, the full volume
of the space is apparent; while on the balcony of the prayer hall where the
woman pray, the full beauty of the chandelier, dripping with glass globules, is
apparent. Both have architectural merit in their own, equal, way.

Unlike ancient mosques where the sole
focus of the light is from above, the Şakirin Mosque is glazed on three sides.
The glazing sits between the giant arches that support the dome and is screened
with Arabic calligraphy drawn in gold.