Patriarchate and Balat & Eyüp Trip

Inspired by the notion that "even loving a single neighborhood of Istanbul is worth a lifetime," a Balat & Eyüp tour was organized for high school students in commemoration of the conquest of Istanbul.

The tour began with a visit to Balat, a neighborhood that embodies the beauty of coexistence. Here, students were taken to the Fener Greek Patriarchate, where they learned about the history of this remarkable structure.

After that, they visited the resting places of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), including Jabir, Abu Darda, Ka'b, and Abdullah Ansari, and they offered their prayers.

Following these visits, the students visited the graves of Toklu Dede, Abdul Vedûd Dede, and Evrenos Dede, dervishes who hailed from the remotest corners of the Islamic world, such as Khorasan, and were drawn to the city in pursuit of the good tidings of its conquest. These spiritual architects of Istanbul were instrumental in shaping the city's identity.

Passing by the Sibyan Mektebi (Primary School) and fountain commissioned by Valide Hatice Sultan and Mihrişah Sultan, the students paused for a moment at the Nazlı Defterdar Nazlı Mahmud Efendi Mosque. They then admired the Zal Mahmut Paşa Mosque, a masterpiece from Mimar Sinan's mature period, which exemplifies the harmonious blend of "man and nature" in its architecture. Continuing their walk, they passed by the Özbekler Tekke (Dervish Lodge) before visiting the shrine of Eyüp Sultan Hazretleri, one of Istanbul's spiritual architects.

Finally, the last stop of the trip was the historic Kaşgâri Tekke, where Necip Fazıl Kısakürek's spiritual mentor, Abdülhakim Arvasi Hazretleri, served as sheikh. Within the tekke's spiritual atmosphere, the students were enlightened about how the gaze of a friend affects people and the importance of being with good people.