AN INVESTIGATION ON NIGHT OF QADIR CEREMONİES ORGANIZED AT THE AYASOFIA MOSQUE IN THE OTTOMAN STATE

Abstract

Ceremonies and rituals formed by blending religious-based principles with culture in the social structure were found important in ottoman society. The nights, which are valuable both in the eyes of the administrators and on the basis,of the public have been tried to be evaluated with the enveloping effect of the belief in the creator and the social unity. The historical function of the place has shown itself effectively with the Laylat al-Qadr Night ceremonies held in the Hagia Sophia Mosque. In this study, it was aimed to reach the information about the Night of Qadr ceremonies held in Hagia Sophia, which was converted into a mosque in accordance with its functionality in the religious field with the conquest of Istanbul, on what foundations and with what rituals it was celebrated by the palace and tebaa within the Ottoman socio-cultural structure. The study is a qualitative research and was prepared by the meyhod of document review covering the literatüre review. It has been seen that the participation of the senior executives of the Ottoman State in the ceremonies of the night of Qadr in Hagia Sophia is an indication of the importance given to the Hagia Sophia mosgue and the night of Qadr. The invitation of foreign protocol guests for this night has allowed the formation of an opinion that directs the foreign point of view on Hagia Sophia, which has been converted from a church to a mosque. The importance of the Night of Qadr ceremonies at the Hagia Sophia Mosque in terms of creating an example of the mystical effect that it has on Muslim and non-Muslim subjects, the relationship of worship and space has been seen. It has been found important that the codes that make up the culture of urban identity manifest themselves as a social gathering place on Hagia Sophia.