Konya Metropolitan Municipality continues its restoration efforts to rebuild the historical Habib-i Neccar Mosque in Hatay, which was reduced to rubble in the devastating earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023. This meaningful project stands out as one of the most beautiful examples of a strong bond of affection and solidarity established between the two ancient cities, beyond just the restoration of a structure.
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay drew attention to the importance of ongoing restoration work, emphasizing that this effort does not only mean rebuilding a building, but also building a permanent bridge of brotherhood and love between Konya and Hatay. Mayor Altay reminded that Konya stood by Hatay from the first moments of the earthquake disaster and took an active role in many areas such as shelter, logistic support, social services and infrastructure work, and stated that the restoration of the Habib-i Neccar Mosque made this support permanent.
“It is a great honor to revive such a meaningful legacy”
President Altay emphasized the unique historical and spiritual value of the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, known as the first mosque in Anatolia, and said, “The Habib-i Neccar Mosque is not only the common heritage of Hatay, but also the entire Islamic world. It is a great honor and a heavy responsibility for us to revive such a valuable legacy. The work carried out by Konya in Hatay after the earthquake disaster is shown as one of the most beautiful examples of brotherhood and solidarity. Every work we do here is a valuable brotherhood legacy that we will leave for the future. As Konya, we will continue to stand by Hatay with determination and complete the restoration work on the first mosque in Anatolia as soon as possible. The re-emergence of the Habib-i Neccar Mosque will not only be the restoration of a structure; it will also be a strong symbol of our unity, solidarity and brotherhood.”
The Historical Texture is Being Revived with Great Care
Expressing his gratitude to all individuals and organizations who contributed to the restoration process, President Altay stated that they have left behind an important stage of the works. Providing detailed information about the works carried out, President Altay said, “Traditional hand comb (mucarta) workmanship was completed with great care on the new stones on the northern body wall of the mosque. On the interior facade, the previously applied injection pipes were removed, the traces left by these processes on the stone surface were cleaned and the stone surfaces were prepared before plastering. The manufacturing and assembly of the arch stones of the last congregation gallery of the mosque were also successfully carried out. Again, while a magnificent plaster trial was carried out on the northwestern elephant foot of the mosque, rough plaster application was started on the northern, southern and eastern interior walls. The assembly of the upper wooden roof on the upper part of the courtyard crown gate and in the women's prayer area was completed. In the ongoing works, preparations are being made to replace the wooden plywood belonging to the interior vault arches. While the drilling process of the minaret stones with core drilling is completed, the row manufacturing of the interior and exterior stones is also continuing. In addition, cleaning works on the stone surfaces were carried out with a pressurized water machine on the western body wall. "We are handling every single stone and every single detail of the structure with great sensitivity. God willing, we will reopen this historical and spiritually valuable structure to worship as soon as possible," he said. The devoted efforts of Konya Metropolitan Municipality demonstrate an exemplary approach to the protection of historical and cultural heritage.
