A Historic Painting in Fatih Mosque Restored at the Çankaya Presidential Palace

Secretary General Mustafa İsen of the Presidency submitted  the painting of the Kaaba in Fatih Mosque to the Deputy Director General of Foundations, Ali Hürata., as the restoration of the painting was completed according to the instruction of President Abdullah Gül. 

President Gül had learned about the painting of the Kaaba, which was originally made in  1905, during his visit to Fatih Mosque for  Friday Prayer on July 27, 2012. He then instructed that the restoration of the painting be conducted at the Çankaya Presidential Palace. 

Secretary General of the Presidency, Mustafa İsen, made a speech during the handing-in ceremony at Fatih Mosque. Drawing attention to the fact that mosques house many important sacred works and objects, Secretary General İsen underscored that “unfortunately, most of these objects have not been preserved well. The Selatin Mosques like Fatih Mosque - which were built at the request of the Ottoman Sultans as places where Muslims to gather and pray together during the Friday Prayers – contain such unique and important works.” 

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAINTING 

Mr. İsen further informed his audience that especially since the 19th century, the sacred places for Muslims including Mecca and Madina have been depicted in oil paintings and murals and seen especially in the Balkans and Western Anatolia. “As for this painting, it has particular importance indeed. It was made by Mimarzade Ali Bey and given as a gift to his father-in-law, Mustafa Sabri Efendi. Afterwards, it was taken to Fatih Mosque. Such works of course need great care and restoration. During President Gül’s visit to Fatih Mosque, the painting’s need for restoration was realized and it has been completed by the Presidency. One of the most important reasons why the Presidency took the restoration of the painting under its aegis is that President Gül wanted to draw attention to other historical works that need restoring and preservation. In Anatolia, there are many valuable works not only paintings but also manuscripts. It is important that such works be preserved well and if they need restoration, it should be carried out by the relevant institutions.” 

RESTORATION WORK JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY TURKISH AND DUTCH EXPERTS 

Secretary General İsen also reiterated that a quintessential restoration work was jointly carried out by a team of Turkish and Dutch restoration experts, adding: “We have gathered today to reinstate this painting to where it belongs. I hope that this work of art will not need further restoration and that its admirers will enjoy it for many years to come.” 

Afterwards, the historical painting was handed over to Deputy Director General of Foundations, Ali Hürata.

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