Islamonweb

In Istanbul, a somber atmosphere enveloped the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Mosque as thousands gathered to bid farewell to two revered Islamic figures, Sheikh Hasan Kılıç Hoja Efendi and Sheikh Abdul Majid al-Zindani, on Tuesday, 23 April 2024.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood amongst the mourners, offering his condolences to the Ismail Aga community as he carried the coffin of Sheikh Kılıç Hoja. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as retired Imam Sheikh Ahmed Fakri Dogan led the funeral prayers, followed by an emotional farewell speech delivered by Imam Saleh Tobju.

Among the dignitaries present at the funerals were several Turkish officials, including Fahrettin Altun, the director of presidential communications, Akaft Chatai Kelish, the chief foreign policy and security advisor to the president, Mustafa Demir, a deputy of the Justice and Development Party in Istanbul, Adel Qara Ismailoglu, a deputy of the Justice and Development Party in Trabzon, and Suleyman Soylu, a former interior minister and current parliamentarian from Istanbul.

The streets surrounding the mosque overflowed with mourners, reflecting the profound impact these sheikhs had on their community.

Sheikh Kılıç was born in the Chaykara region of Trabzon province in 1930. He became the Imam of the Ismail Aga Sufi community after the death of Sheikh Mahmoud Efendi in 2022. He passed away yesterday, Monday, in the hospital where he was being treated for kidney disease at the age of 94.

Former Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Mustafa Sentop, remarked, "The death of a scholar is like the death of the world. I learned with sadness of the passing of the great scholar and Sufi Hassan Kelic Hoja Efendi. His contribution to our spiritual life and wisdom is immense. May our teacher rest in peace, and I offer my condolences and patience to his family, loved ones, and followers."

Mutasavvıf, alim, arif Hasan Kılıç Hocaefendi'ye Cenâb-ı Allah'tan rahmet; ailesine, talebelerine ve sevenlerine başsağlığı diliyorum. Rabbim mekânını cennet, makamını âli eylesin. pic.twitter.com/ar1GCGE85R

— Numan Kurtulmuş (@NumanKurtulmus) April 22, 2024

Sheikh al-Zindani, born in 1942, is considered a symbol of the Islamic movement in Yemen. He founded the University of Faith and the World Association for Quranic and Sunnah Miracles. He dedicated himself to establishing the scientific miracles in religious texts, as well as his contributions to the fields of preaching and politics. He also served as the head of the Yemeni Scholars Council and was one of the founders of the World Union of Muslim Scholars.

Ramadan Yilmaz, a member of the Ismail Aga community, expressed profound sorrow at the loss of both sheikhs in a single day, describing it as a divine test for the Islamic nation.

Dr. Omar Abdelkafi highlighted Sheikh al-Zindani's dedication to Islam and moderation, emphasizing his enduring impact on future generations.

Anwar Kelichaslan, head of the Union of Scholars and Schools in Turkey, echoed the sentiments of mourning, offering condolences to all Muslims and praising the scholarly contributions of Sheikh al-Zindani.