28.07.2026 10:20
The Istanbul Governor's Office, under the signature of Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, sent a letter to 39 District Governorships and other institutions regarding the opening of prayer rooms in schools.
The Istanbul Governorship has taken action to create prayer spaces that will allow Friday prayers to be performed in all schools across the city. In a letter sent to 39 district governorates, it was stated that prayer rooms will be included in new projects, and suitable areas in existing schools will be converted.
NEW REGULATION FOR THE WORSHIP NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
In the official letter published with the signature of Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, emphasis was placed on the importance of meeting the worship needs of students and education staff, which fall within the scope of their fundamental rights and freedoms. The statement, which noted that the aim is to support the social, cultural, and moral development of students in school environments, expressed that enabling the performance of faith and worship under suitable conditions is an integral part of educational services.
EXITS FROM SCHOOL AND LOSS OF TIME WILL BE PREVENTED
In the decision based on the relevant regulations of the Ministry of National Education, the main objectives of the regulation were listed as follows:
- Enabling students to perform their worship in a safe environment,
- Minimizing exits from school grounds due to worship,
- Ensuring more efficient use of school hours and preventing disruption of class processes.
Accordingly, it was stated that physically suitable areas will be prepared in schools for students and staff who wish to participate in collective worship, particularly Friday prayers.
TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN NEW AND EXISTING SCHOOLS
According to the directive sent by the Governorship to 39 district governorates and relevant institutions, the process will proceed in two stages:
- New schools to be built: Will be constructed from the project and planning stage with prayer room areas having sufficient physical capacity to allow Friday prayers.
- Existing schools: In currently used educational buildings, suitable areas will be converted within existing possibilities to become "Friday prayer rooms."
The statement included the following expressions;
"In line with the spiritual values of our society, it is important to meet the worship needs of our students and education staff, which fall within the scope of their fundamental rights and freedoms. In this context, along with supporting the social, cultural, and moral development of students in school environments, providing areas where they can perform their faith and worship in suitable settings has become an integral part of educational services and a significant necessity.
Within the framework of Article 5, clause (ç) of the Ministry of National Education Regulation on Opening, Closing, and Naming Institutions, and Article 81, paragraph 6 of the Ministry of National Education Regulation on Preschool Education and Primary Education Institutions?
In order for students to safely perform their worship in appropriate time intervals, to minimize exits from school due to worship, to ensure efficient use of school hours, and to prevent disruption of educational processes, it is necessary to create prayer room areas with suitable physical conditions within schools for those who wish to participate in collective worship such as Friday prayers.
In this context? For new schools and educational institutions to be built, prayer room areas with sufficient physical capacity to allow Friday prayers should be included in their projects and plans. For currently used schools and educational institutions? By converting suitable areas within the framework of existing possibilities, areas should be created for use as Friday prayer rooms. I request your information and necessary action."