Afternoon prayers end at the Abdulhamid Khan Mosque in a working-class district of Istanbul, and attention shifts from the imam to a sports instructor in a white polo shirt.
A group of admirers, most of them silver-haired men, rise from the thick turquoise carpet and follow the instructor’s lead as they engage in exercises aimed at improving their physical health.
For 15 minutes, they stretch, roll their shoulders and jump in place, sharing quiet laughs and sheepish glances as they rediscover the joy of movement.
“This fitness program is like maintenance for our body. It helps improve our organs,” explains Servet Alisi, 66, an attendee at the mosque.
Hussein Kaya, 75, expresses his joy in feeling every part of his body move. “That’s different,” he says, the wrinkles on his forehead clearly showing his years of experience as a taxi driver.
Instructor Fatih Yamanoglu emphasizes the importance of these daily exercises to prevent injuries and improve quality of life for elderly participants.
Between 25 and 35 worshipers participate in daily noon and late afternoon prayer sessions that focus on increasing flexibility and mobility.
Women are currently excluded from the project, but the Bagcilar Council, under the leadership of President Erdoğan’s AKP party, recognizes the need to address the low level of physical activity among Turkish women and is open to women’s participation. has been expressed.
Dr. Serap Inal from Istanbul Galata University emphasizes the importance of physical activity, especially for residents of disadvantaged areas and the elderly.
Imam Bülent Sinar sees mosques evolving into comprehensive centers of worship and well-being and advocates for this initiative to be extended to mosques across the country. He points out that exercise has a positive impact on worshipers’ prayers, increasing their mobility and vitality.
“Since we prioritize physical fitness, we also enrich our spiritual practices,” concluded Imam Shinar, emphasizing the rejuvenating effect these practices have on worshipers.
(Information provided by AFP)
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Published date: February 13, 2024 14:08:22 IST