Historic Istanbul mosque brings fresh hope to homeless

A historic mosque at the center of a populous Istanbul district is providing free showers, clothing, and food to the homeless.

Selime Hatun Mosque -- a small Muslim house of worship in the Beyoglu district dating back to the 17th century -- has emerged as a place of hope and temporary shelter for dozens of rough sleepers in the metropolis.

Through the efforts of its philanthropic imam Osman Gokrem, 52, who has been working at the mosque for 17 years, homeless individuals have a chance to meet more of their basic needs.

“This is the only mosque across the country where at least 50 homeless people are able to take a free bath on a daily basis,” Gokrem told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.

The project, designed by the leader of the worship service -- who dedicated his life to providing help for the needy -- started in 2017 when a bathwater heater was installed inside the mosque.

“At first, three to five people were coming and taking a shower here. Now it’s risen to at least 50 people daily. There are also some homeless individuals who come from throughout the city to take a bath,” he said.

The helping nature of the selfless imam has always motivated him to rush to the help of the needy.

“I was always wondering where they can take a bath, where they can eat, how they buy what they need, because nobody wants them.

“When a homeless person goes to a barbershop, the barber doesn't let them in. Not because they have no money, but because they’re dirty and smell bad. Hamams [Turkish public baths] do the same, they don’t want to let them in,” Gokrem said.

Thanks to the support of donors, the imam also delivers free food every Saturday at the mosque, which is open 24/7, and donates clothing.

- Free haircuts

Amid his busy schedule as imam, he also shaves and gives rough sleepers free haircuts in order to boost their chances of reintegrating into society.

“I shaved some 15-20 homeless people this Saturday. If we think that it’s not our business to shave them or give them haircuts, then we’ll lose them,” he said, stressing the importance of helping the needy.

Helping them find a job is the other part of Gokrem’s self-designed project. When they find one, Gokrem lets them sleep at the mosque for over a month until they can afford an apartment themselves.

“When they tell me ‘I got a job,’ I discreetly go to their workplaces to see if it’s true or not,” he said.

Currently, the mosque hosts five people at nights.

Gokrem said many people hesitate to approach a homeless person to help them, as they worry about the reaction.

“People often think if a person lives on the streets, he must be a thief, may attack them, carry a knife, or have mental problems.”

- Heartfelt touch

“You need patience, love, and mercy to help them. You need to show them empathy,” Gokrem said.

There are many reasons why a person might become homeless, he stressed, adding that anyone could end up homeless one day.

“Once-wealthy people or people with a good career could become homeless. You get a paycheck today but you don’t know what will happen to you tomorrow. They’re also human and have their reasons for sleeping on the streets.”

He also listens to their problems and tries to help solve them, sometimes reuniting them with their family members.

The imam called on everyone, no matter their income level, to do something for the needy and the homeless.

“Come here and hand out the supplies yourself,” he urged.

“Do something personally. I oppose donations made only through a bank account. The rich need to look into the poor’ eyes and invite them into their homes in order to understand their situation.”

The imam concluded the interview with a verse from the Quran: “Whoever saves a single life it is like saving the whole world.”