Recep Pasha Mosque in Rhodes collapsed

Recep Pasha Mosque which was built in the island of Rhodes in Greece during the Ottoman Empire period collapsed. According to Birlik newspaper, Recep Pasha Mosque that had been surrounded by construction fence on the ground that it would have been restored collapsed on Sunday night, around 03:00 a.m.

Recep Pasha Mosque, which was commissioned by Recep Pasha and was built in 1588 was one of the historical sites in Rhodes inherited from the Ottoman Empire. It was declared in 2004 that Re-cep Pasha Mosque of which inner walls were decorated with Iranian tiles would be turned into a museum, but restoration did never start in the mosque. Surrounded by fences, and supported by a skeleton outside of the mosque had been in a state of neglect. Without any attempt for restoration, the mosque collapsed on Sunday night.

President Habipoğlu: Another monument which constitutes historical legacy in Greece has now vanished

President of Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), Mr. Halit Habipoğlu said, “It is very sad that Recep Pasha Mosque collapsed last night due to the negligence and indifference. Thus far nothing has been done, although it was announced that the Mosque would have been re-stored and turned into a museum. The mosque was left to its own fate, and eventually it collapsed on Sunday night. A historical monument which constituted a part of historical legacy has now van-ished. Today, there are a large number of historical sites inherited from the Ottoman Empire. Unfortunately, most of these historical sites were in a state of neglect, and today most of them stand in ruins. These historical monuments and sites constitute an important part in Greek cultural legacy, and therefore they should be restored, and competent authorities should restore them with due his-torical consciousness and responsibility.”