29.01.2026 11:40
The cancellation decision regarding the mosque project that came to the agenda in Kadıköy Pier in 2015 was overturned in the appeal, and the judiciary approved the project. Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı stated that there are enough mosques in the area and that there has been no demand from the public, and announced that the municipality filed an appeal to the Council of State on January 20, 2026, citing increased traffic and density as reasons.
A new stage has been reached in the judicial process regarding the mosque project planned to be built on the Kadıköy waterfront. Announced for the first time in 2015 and sued by the Kadıköy Municipality and the Istanbul Metropolitan Branch of the Chamber of Architects, the project was canceled by the Istanbul 3rd Administrative Court in 2024. However, in the appeal case, the 4th Administrative Chamber of the Istanbul Regional Administrative Court overturned the cancellation decision with its ruling dated December 15, 2025, and ruled for the dismissal of the case. Thus, approval has been granted by the judiciary for the mosque planned to be built on the Kadıköy waterfront.
REACTION FROM THE MAYOR OF KADIKÖY
Following the decision, a notable statement came from Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı. Kösedağı emphasized that Kadıköylü citizens should have a say in matters concerning Kadıköy, reminding that there are multiple historical mosques within walking distance of the area where the mosque is planned to be built. Stating that no opinions or requests had been received from Kadıköylü citizens regarding the project, Kösedağı expressed that the functions of the mosque and the underground parking lot would further increase the already heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic in Kadıköy Square and its surroundings.
APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE
Kösedağı stated that the Kadıköy Municipality would continue its legal struggle against the decision, noting that they filed an appeal to the Council of State on January 20, 2026. The Mayor said they would follow the process on behalf of the Kadıköylü citizens.
Here is Kösedağı's post;