info@kim.org.tr
info@kim.org.tr
We wanted to share with you the results of some of the informative conversations we had with tourists about Islam in various places, especially the Suleymaniye Mosque.
Maria from Argentina
On 17.01.2024, when I entered the Suleymaniye Mosque, I saw a middle-aged woman who was getting a translation of the Quran in Spanish. When I went to meet her, she asked me if there was a Spanish version of the book ‘Islam in Sixty Minutes’. My answer was no, but I said that if she had time, I could translate what was written in the book in Spanish, and then we sat down with other family members and started talking about Islam. She was already knowledgeable, but she had questions, especially about inheritance law, and she had also stated that her profession was a lawyer. After answering these and similar questions, I asked her why she was still Catholic, and her answer was actually quite classic: “I grew up in a Catholic country, in a Catholic school and family environment. I don’t believe in the God they talk about – the Trinity – but this is my culture,” she said. My answer was: “If you follow them just because they are the majority, even though you know they are doing wrong, what account will you give to Allah on the Day of Judgment?” She asked, “Are you trying to convert me to your religion?” I said, “Yes.” “I would like that very much, Ahmet,” she replied and recited the shahada first in Spanish and then in Arabic. She hugged and shook hands with all the female team members in the mosque, raised the Quran translation I had given her to the dome of Suleymaniye and prayed something along the lines of “Oh Allah, I am grateful for granting me this.” I was astonished by such sincere faith. Her last words as she left the mosque were, “Allahu Akbar, I am now a Muslim!”
On 17.01.2024, when I entered the Suleymaniye Mosque, I saw a middle-aged woman who was getting a translation of the Quran in Spanish. When I went to meet her, she asked me if there was a Spanish version of the book ‘Islam in Sixty Minutes’. My answer was no, but I said that if she had time, I could translate what was written in the book in Spanish, and then we sat down with other family members and started talking about Islam. She was already knowledgeable, but she had questions, especially about inheritance law, and she had also stated that her profession was a lawyer. After answering these and similar questions, I asked her why she was still Catholic, and her answer was actually quite classic: “I grew up in a Catholic country, in a Catholic school and family environment. I don’t believe in the God they talk about – the Trinity – but this is my culture,” she said. My answer was: “If you follow them just because they are the majority, even though you know they are doing wrong, what account will you give to Allah on the Day of Judgment?” She asked, “Are you trying to convert me to your religion?” I said, “Yes.” “I would like that very much, Ahmet,” she replied and recited the shahada first in Spanish and then in Arabic. She hugged and shook hands with all the female team members in the mosque, raised the Quran translation I had given her to the dome of Suleymaniye and prayed something along the lines of “Oh Allah, I am grateful for granting me this.” I was astonished by such sincere faith. Her last words as she left the mosque were, “Allahu Akbar, I am now a Muslim!”
Juan and Ximana from Mexican
On Friday, December 22, 2023, when it was close to afternoon, I saw another volunteer friend talking to two tourists and I sat next to them. I learned that they were two Mexican brothers named Juan and Ximana who were traveling together. My volunteer friend’s invitation efforts soon paid off and both of them accepted Islam right where they were sitting. The other teammates around us immediately came to us and hugged and congratulated our new brothers. At that moment, the Iqama for afternoon prayer was being called so I offered the male brother to join me in prayer, and he eagerly accepted. I told him that it would be enough for him to imitate me and we prayed side by side, followed by a Quran recitation. He seemed to enjoy the whole process very much. After he got up, I introduced him to random members of the congregation and told them, “This brother of ours is from Mexico and has just accepted Islam,” and offered them to hug Juan, and he hugged our new friend, including the imam of the Suleymaniye Mosque, and conveyed his congratulations. With just a few words that he confirmed with his heart, he began to feel that he was a new member of the Islamic brotherhood, and before he left me, he said that he had already begun to feel the peace of Islam.
On Friday, December 22, 2023, when it was close to afternoon, I saw another volunteer friend talking to two tourists and I sat next to them. I learned that they were two Mexican brothers named Juan and Ximana who were traveling together. My volunteer friend’s invitation efforts soon paid off and both of them accepted Islam right where they were sitting. The other teammates around us immediately came to us and hugged and congratulated our new brothers. At that moment, the Iqama for afternoon prayer was being called so I offered the male brother to join me in prayer, and he eagerly accepted. I told him that it would be enough for him to imitate me and we prayed side by side, followed by a Quran recitation. He seemed to enjoy the whole process very much. After he got up, I introduced him to random members of the congregation and told them, “This brother of ours is from Mexico and has just accepted Islam,” and offered them to hug Juan, and he hugged our new friend, including the imam of the Suleymaniye Mosque, and conveyed his congratulations. With just a few words that he confirmed with his heart, he began to feel that he was a new member of the Islamic brotherhood, and before he left me, he said that he had already begun to feel the peace of Islam.
Shwan from Brooklyn
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, in the afternoon, I saw an Egyptian female volunteer chatting with a young tourist traveling alone, whose name I later learned was Cook Shawn. Hours passed and it was evening, but their conversation was still going on with the same rhythm and passion. When I performed the evening prayer and returned to our volunteer friends, I heard that this tourist, who was only 21 and came from Brooklyn, USA, had ended his conversation with our volunteer friend by reciting the Shahada where he had been sitting for hours. Our volunteer friend had invited Shawn to the center, and thankfully, all the volunteer friends had made plans to have dinner together that evening. After having dinner with Shawn and his Turkish friend, whom we met later, in our center building, we started our long-term conversation, which was also full of details that a new Muslim should know. At the end of our two-hour conversation, we left the center, took a short tour of Fatih, and then took him on the metro to return to his hotel. Shawn left Türkiye at the end of his trip to Istanbul, but we have already contacted a Muslim friend in his hometown to provide him with support. It is undoubtedly an indescribable blessing for us to be instrumental in guiding a non-Muslim, but our duty does not end there. Following up on the process after martyrdom and providing support is as important as listing the conditions of Islam to them in the mosque. This is a marathon for us as it is for them.
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, in the afternoon, I saw an Egyptian female volunteer chatting with a young tourist traveling alone, whose name I later learned was Cook Shawn. Hours passed and it was evening, but their conversation was still going on with the same rhythm and passion. When I performed the evening prayer and returned to our volunteer friends, I heard that this tourist, who was only 21 and came from Brooklyn, USA, had ended his conversation with our volunteer friend by reciting the Shahada where he had been sitting for hours. Our volunteer friend had invited Shawn to the center, and thankfully, all the volunteer friends had made plans to have dinner together that evening. After having dinner with Shawn and his Turkish friend, whom we met later, in our center building, we started our long-term conversation, which was also full of details that a new Muslim should know. At the end of our two-hour conversation, we left the center, took a short tour of Fatih, and then took him on the metro to return to his hotel. Shawn left Türkiye at the end of his trip to Istanbul, but we have already contacted a Muslim friend in his hometown to provide him with support. It is undoubtedly an indescribable blessing for us to be instrumental in guiding a non-Muslim, but our duty does not end there. Following up on the process after martyrdom and providing support is as important as listing the conditions of Islam to them in the mosque. This is a marathon for us as it is for them.
Alex from Colorado
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, while I was inside the mosque, one of the tourists I met was a young traveler named Alex, who had left the US state of Colorado and toured Egypt for weeks before coming to Istanbul. After approaching and introducing myself, I first introduced him to the Suleymaniye Mosque as usual and then began to preach Islam. Alex was listening to me with a different interest than the other tourists I had talked to during the day, it was clear that this trip was not just a touristic adventure for him; after the considerable days he had spent in Islamic lands, it had become a spiritual quest. He was in no hurry, so I invited him to the center and we retired to the meeting room upstairs. He asked one question after another, and I answered patiently and politely. By the end of our three-hour conversation, it was already evening and we went downstairs to the hall to join a dinner prepared by another volunteer friend of ours at the center. At the end of a few hours of conversation, during which all the volunteers showed special attention to him, I invited Alex to leave with us and have dessert. We thought it would be a good idea to bring Alex along with us, along with a few of our volunteers, to show him our life outside the mosque. Because in addition to our da'wah activities, we also find it very important to show him our social life outside the mosque and to show the camaraderie among us as volunteers. We had the opportunity to host Alex for a few weeks. We ate together, prayed shoulder to shoulder in the mosque. Although he still has a lot to learn, Alex is now one of us, one of our Muslim brothers.
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, while I was inside the mosque, one of the tourists I met was a young traveler named Alex, who had left the US state of Colorado and toured Egypt for weeks before coming to Istanbul. After approaching and introducing myself, I first introduced him to the Suleymaniye Mosque as usual and then began to preach Islam. Alex was listening to me with a different interest than the other tourists I had talked to during the day, it was clear that this trip was not just a touristic adventure for him; after the considerable days he had spent in Islamic lands, it had become a spiritual quest. He was in no hurry, so I invited him to the center and we retired to the meeting room upstairs. He asked one question after another, and I answered patiently and politely. By the end of our three-hour conversation, it was already evening and we went downstairs to the hall to join a dinner prepared by another volunteer friend of ours at the center. At the end of a few hours of conversation, during which all the volunteers showed special attention to him, I invited Alex to leave with us and have dessert. We thought it would be a good idea to bring Alex along with us, along with a few of our volunteers, to show him our life outside the mosque. Because in addition to our da'wah activities, we also find it very important to show him our social life outside the mosque and to show the camaraderie among us as volunteers. We had the opportunity to host Alex for a few weeks. We ate together, prayed shoulder to shoulder in the mosque. Although he still has a lot to learn, Alex is now one of us, one of our Muslim brothers.
That day, I went to the Çamlıca Mosque for Friday prayers. After prayers, I noticed a couple leaning against the pillars. When we met, I learned that the woman was originally from Chile and the man was Moroccan, living in Italy.
When I learned that the woman was Catholic and the man was Muslim, I wondered if her husband had ever explained Islam to her. Would he be embarrassed or pressured if I did?
I hesitated for a moment. But his wife said, excitedly, "Please, tell him." This gave me courage.
I started speaking Spanish. I normally struggle to speak fluently, but God made it easy in that moment; the words flowed smoothly, as if they had been prepared in advance.
I explained God's message step by step, in the order we had learned in the Dawah training. The woman listened with great curiosity, as if she were hearing these truths for the first time.
We went over the principles of faith and the five pillars of Islam one by one, and I carefully explained each one. After answering her questions, everything made sense to her. Finally, I invited him to recite the Shahada and begin a new life.
“I am ready,” he said.
Tears welling up, he recited the Shahada, first in Spanish and then in Arabic. At that moment, I realized that not only he but also his wife was renewing their faith.
I gifted him a Quran in Spanish, but I didn't have the kit prepared for new Muslims. Learning that they had tickets to visit Hagia Sophia, I offered to take them there and asked our brothers and sisters at the madrasa to prepare a kit in the meantime.
On the way, he explained that he had harbored some doubts about Catholicism since childhood. We talked about the beauty of Islam, the words of our Prophet (peace be upon him), and the way of life of a Muslim.
He arrived at Hagia Sophia, but unfortunately, despite having tickets, they weren't allowed in. They were saddened, but God had a better plan for them. When we entered the madrasa, our brothers and sisters welcomed them warmly. The new Muslim kit, food, and desserts were ready. We performed our ablutions and prayed together.
The biggest surprise of the day came in the evening: They entered Hagia Sophia, which they had been unable to enter as "tourists" in the morning, this time as Muslims for the evening prayer. A few hours earlier, they had been barred from entering, but this time with faith and honor.
When I learned that the woman was Catholic and the man was Muslim, I wondered if her husband had ever explained Islam to her. Would he be embarrassed or pressured if I did?
I hesitated for a moment. But his wife said, excitedly, "Please, tell him." This gave me courage.
I started speaking Spanish. I normally struggle to speak fluently, but God made it easy in that moment; the words flowed smoothly, as if they had been prepared in advance.
I explained God's message step by step, in the order we had learned in the Dawah training. The woman listened with great curiosity, as if she were hearing these truths for the first time.
We went over the principles of faith and the five pillars of Islam one by one, and I carefully explained each one. After answering her questions, everything made sense to her. Finally, I invited him to recite the Shahada and begin a new life.
“I am ready,” he said.
Tears welling up, he recited the Shahada, first in Spanish and then in Arabic. At that moment, I realized that not only he but also his wife was renewing their faith.
I gifted him a Quran in Spanish, but I didn't have the kit prepared for new Muslims. Learning that they had tickets to visit Hagia Sophia, I offered to take them there and asked our brothers and sisters at the madrasa to prepare a kit in the meantime.
On the way, he explained that he had harbored some doubts about Catholicism since childhood. We talked about the beauty of Islam, the words of our Prophet (peace be upon him), and the way of life of a Muslim.
He arrived at Hagia Sophia, but unfortunately, despite having tickets, they weren't allowed in. They were saddened, but God had a better plan for them. When we entered the madrasa, our brothers and sisters welcomed them warmly. The new Muslim kit, food, and desserts were ready. We performed our ablutions and prayed together.
The biggest surprise of the day came in the evening: They entered Hagia Sophia, which they had been unable to enter as "tourists" in the morning, this time as Muslims for the evening prayer. A few hours earlier, they had been barred from entering, but this time with faith and honor.
About three months ago, I met Josep and his wife during a mosque visit and told them about Islam. They were impressed by what they heard, but upon leaving, they said they were very committed to their church. Frankly, I never expected to hear from them again.
But a month later, I received an email from Josep:
“I can’t explain exactly why, but visiting the mosque had an extraordinary impact on my spiritual journey. Believe me, my life since I was 20 has been a life of retreats and meditations. But what I feel now while reading Surah Al-Baqarah is beyond comprehension.”
In subsequent emails, he spoke more about himself. A retired psychiatrist, he had researched not only Christianity but also Zen Buddhism, writing:
“Contact with the Quran, especially Surah Al-Baqarah, clears my mind of all troubles. Even after reading just a few verses, I feel an immediate sense of relief. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I can’t put the Quran down; it draws me in like a magnet.” Over time, he began to try praying, and "Allah" had replaced the word "God." On our second meeting, I finally asked him:
"Can you say of yourself, 'I am a Muslim,' right now?"
Without hesitation, he said, "Yes." He even admitted that he had tried to recite the Shahadah on his own before. SubhanAllah, we recited the Shahadah together at that moment.
But a month later, I received an email from Josep:
“I can’t explain exactly why, but visiting the mosque had an extraordinary impact on my spiritual journey. Believe me, my life since I was 20 has been a life of retreats and meditations. But what I feel now while reading Surah Al-Baqarah is beyond comprehension.”
In subsequent emails, he spoke more about himself. A retired psychiatrist, he had researched not only Christianity but also Zen Buddhism, writing:
“Contact with the Quran, especially Surah Al-Baqarah, clears my mind of all troubles. Even after reading just a few verses, I feel an immediate sense of relief. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I can’t put the Quran down; it draws me in like a magnet.” Over time, he began to try praying, and "Allah" had replaced the word "God." On our second meeting, I finally asked him:
"Can you say of yourself, 'I am a Muslim,' right now?"
Without hesitation, he said, "Yes." He even admitted that he had tried to recite the Shahadah on his own before. SubhanAllah, we recited the Shahadah together at that moment.
One day, while giving an invitation at the mosque, I saw a tourist by the bookshelf. He picked up a German translation of the Quran. I approached him and asked him if he knew what it was. "I think it's a book containing the words of the Prophet Muhammad," he said.
That's where our conversation began. We discussed the Quran, its meaning, and how we recognize it as the word of God. We talked about God, the prophets, the meaning of religion, and the fact that the true religion is truly one. Then we moved on to the essence of Islam, and then to its practical aspects. We discussed how we can connect with God.
I explained the principles of faith to him, explaining the six pillars one by one. He accepted each one. Then I asked him to think about Islam. He said thoughtfully:
"I don't know... This is all very new to me; I need to think about it."
I asked him gently: "Do you think you'll become a Muslim one day?"
"Maybe... I don't know. I don't feel like it right now," he replied. Towards the end of our conversation, he asked me this question, which was truly moving:
“Should I read the Quran in a specific order? Can I understand it, or do I need special knowledge?”
I told him that anyone can read the Quran and gain a sense of its meaning. He already had the translation, so I suggested we open a random page and read a verse together.
He chose verses 103–109 of Surah Yunus. He was visibly moved as he read. I couldn't hold back my tears. Then there was a profound silence. A silence that seemed to leave no need for words.
There were ten minutes left until the evening call to prayer. I told him, “If you like, we can think about this during prayer, and then we can talk again.” He agreed.
But just as the prayer was about to begin, he came back to me and said,
“I want to say it. I am ready. I feel it.”
And right then and there, he recited the Shahada. Alhamdulillah.
What impressed me most was his deep contemplation. When we talked about prayer, he asked, “How can I purify my heart?” He would ask sincere questions like, "How can I read and understand it?" When speaking about the Quran, he would ask, "How can I read and understand it?" This wasn't a one-sided conversation. He was listening, making connections, and internalizing his thoughts.
What I was saying seemed perfectly logical to him, but emotionally, everything was still new. But after reading those verses, he felt something shift within him. And instead of ignoring it, he chose to be sincere with both himself and God.
It was a big decision. But he was humble and courageous enough to take this step. He recited the Shahada, and immediately afterward, the evening prayer began. After the Fatiha, the imam recited the following verse:
"those who, when reminded of the revelation of their Lord, do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it"
(Surah al-Furqan, 25:73)
That's where our conversation began. We discussed the Quran, its meaning, and how we recognize it as the word of God. We talked about God, the prophets, the meaning of religion, and the fact that the true religion is truly one. Then we moved on to the essence of Islam, and then to its practical aspects. We discussed how we can connect with God.
I explained the principles of faith to him, explaining the six pillars one by one. He accepted each one. Then I asked him to think about Islam. He said thoughtfully:
"I don't know... This is all very new to me; I need to think about it."
I asked him gently: "Do you think you'll become a Muslim one day?"
"Maybe... I don't know. I don't feel like it right now," he replied. Towards the end of our conversation, he asked me this question, which was truly moving:
“Should I read the Quran in a specific order? Can I understand it, or do I need special knowledge?”
I told him that anyone can read the Quran and gain a sense of its meaning. He already had the translation, so I suggested we open a random page and read a verse together.
He chose verses 103–109 of Surah Yunus. He was visibly moved as he read. I couldn't hold back my tears. Then there was a profound silence. A silence that seemed to leave no need for words.
There were ten minutes left until the evening call to prayer. I told him, “If you like, we can think about this during prayer, and then we can talk again.” He agreed.
But just as the prayer was about to begin, he came back to me and said,
“I want to say it. I am ready. I feel it.”
And right then and there, he recited the Shahada. Alhamdulillah.
What impressed me most was his deep contemplation. When we talked about prayer, he asked, “How can I purify my heart?” He would ask sincere questions like, "How can I read and understand it?" When speaking about the Quran, he would ask, "How can I read and understand it?" This wasn't a one-sided conversation. He was listening, making connections, and internalizing his thoughts.
What I was saying seemed perfectly logical to him, but emotionally, everything was still new. But after reading those verses, he felt something shift within him. And instead of ignoring it, he chose to be sincere with both himself and God.
It was a big decision. But he was humble and courageous enough to take this step. He recited the Shahada, and immediately afterward, the evening prayer began. After the Fatiha, the imam recited the following verse:
"those who, when reminded of the revelation of their Lord, do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it"
(Surah al-Furqan, 25:73)
Alex from Colorado
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, while I was inside the mosque, one of the tourists I met was a young traveler named Alex, who had left the US state of Colorado and toured Egypt for weeks before coming to Istanbul. After approaching and introducing myself, I first introduced him to the Suleymaniye Mosque as usual and then began to preach Islam. Alex was listening to me with a different interest than the other tourists I had talked to during the day, it was clear that this trip was not just a touristic adventure for him; after the considerable days he had spent in Islamic lands, it had become a spiritual quest. He was in no hurry, so I invited him to the center and we retired to the meeting room upstairs. He asked one question after another, and I answered patiently and politely. By the end of our three-hour conversation, it was already evening and we went downstairs to the hall to join a dinner prepared by another volunteer friend of ours at the center. At the end of a few hours of conversation, during which all the volunteers showed special attention to him, I invited Alex to leave with us and have dessert. We thought it would be a good idea to bring Alex along with us, along with a few of our volunteers, to show him our life outside the mosque. Because in addition to our da'wah activities, we also find it very important to show him our social life outside the mosque and to show the camaraderie among us as volunteers. We had the opportunity to host Alex for a few weeks. We ate together, prayed shoulder to shoulder in the mosque. Although he still has a lot to learn, Alex is now one of us, one of our Muslim brothers.
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, while I was inside the mosque, one of the tourists I met was a young traveler named Alex, who had left the US state of Colorado and toured Egypt for weeks before coming to Istanbul. After approaching and introducing myself, I first introduced him to the Suleymaniye Mosque as usual and then began to preach Islam. Alex was listening to me with a different interest than the other tourists I had talked to during the day, it was clear that this trip was not just a touristic adventure for him; after the considerable days he had spent in Islamic lands, it had become a spiritual quest. He was in no hurry, so I invited him to the center and we retired to the meeting room upstairs. He asked one question after another, and I answered patiently and politely. By the end of our three-hour conversation, it was already evening and we went downstairs to the hall to join a dinner prepared by another volunteer friend of ours at the center. At the end of a few hours of conversation, during which all the volunteers showed special attention to him, I invited Alex to leave with us and have dessert. We thought it would be a good idea to bring Alex along with us, along with a few of our volunteers, to show him our life outside the mosque. Because in addition to our da'wah activities, we also find it very important to show him our social life outside the mosque and to show the camaraderie among us as volunteers. We had the opportunity to host Alex for a few weeks. We ate together, prayed shoulder to shoulder in the mosque. Although he still has a lot to learn, Alex is now one of us, one of our Muslim brothers.
