Islamonweb

Afternoon prayers concluded at the Abdulhamid Han Mosque in Istanbul, marking the transition from spiritual reflection to physical activity. Silver-haired men, led by a sports instructor in a white polo shirt, engaged in a 15-minute exercise routine, a part of a fitness project initiated in 11 mosques in Istanbul's Bağcılar district.

The worshippers, including the imam with a carefully trimmed beard, performed knee raises, shoulder rotations, and light hops on the thick turquoise carpet. Servet Arıcı, a 66-year-old mosque-goer, emphasized the significance of physical activity, comparing it to vehicle maintenance: "Just like we need vehicle maintenance, when we do sport, our organs improve."

Hüseyin Kaya, the 75-year-old veteran of the group, expressed his delight in making every part of his body move, stating that it makes a noticeable difference. The instructor, Fatih Yamanoğlu, emphasized that the daily routine helps prevent future injuries and improves the lives of the elderly participants.

The fitness project, launched in January, aims to encourage exercise among the elderly in one of Istanbul's most densely populated districts. In a country where the population aged over 65 has doubled in 25 years, such initiatives are seen as beneficial. However, Serap Inal, the director of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Istanbul Galata University, suggests outdoor exercises for a more refreshing experience.

Imam Bülent Çınar expressed his satisfaction that the mosque has become more than a place of worship, attracting fitness-conscious individuals from neighbouring mosques. He even welcomed the idea of having a female instructor lead an exercise in the women's prayer room, advocating for the extension of this initiative to Turkey's 90,000 mosques.

"After we do these exercises, the quality of their prayers improves. They move more easily. They are rejuvenated," said the imam, highlighting the holistic benefits of combining physical fitness with spiritual practices.