11.10.2025 09:11
91-year-old Ahmet Köse from Aksaray, despite his insistence, sold 170 acres of the 200 acres of land he intended to leave to his children, who did not return to the village. He used the proceeds to build a mosque. Köse plans to sell the remaining 30 acres as well to cover the mosque's maintenance costs.
Ahmet Köse, a 91-year-old man living alone in the Ortaköy district of Aksaray, sold his assets, which he intended to leave as an inheritance, to build a mosque, as he did not want to return to the village despite his children's insistence.
BUILT A MOSQUE FOR 5 MILLION WITH HIS ASSETS
Köse, who lives in the village of Ozancık, lost his wife 16 years ago and became a father of 7 children. He was left alone at home 4 years ago when his last child also left him.
Despite his children, who work in different cities and have established their own families, wanting him to return to the village, Köse's wish did not come true. He decided to sell his assets, which he intended to leave as an inheritance, to use for charitable purposes. Despite his children's objections, Köse sold 170 acres of his approximately 200 acres of land in the village and built a mosque with the 5 million lira he obtained. He plans to sell the remaining 30 acres of land for mosque maintenance.
"I HAD ALWAYS BOUGHT THE LANDS I SOLD, I HAD NO INHERITANCE LEFT"
Köse told an AA reporter that he lost his wife 16 years ago and has been trying to live by fighting against difficulties.
Stating that he worked in construction during his youth and made a living through agriculture and animal husbandry, Köse noted:
"I have been living alone for about 4 years. My children have left me. They all have jobs. I am left alone. I told my children many times, 'Don't leave me,' but no one listened to me. I said, 'Come and stay with me, my property is yours,' but no one came. My children were going to sell the lands after I died; I sold them while I was still alive. I had always bought the lands I sold; I had no inheritance left. I sold almost all of the lands for the mosque construction."
"I WILL ALSO BUILD A FOUNTAIN, INSHALLAH"
Köse explained that he also offered his grandchildren to stay with him, promising to give them a house in return, but none accepted.
Stating that his children opposed the sale but he did not listen to them, Köse said, "When I die, my children would sell the property; I sold it before I died and did my charity. I will also build a fountain, inshAllah."
"ACCORDING TO MY CALCULATIONS, I WILL SPEND ANOTHER 3 MILLION LIRA FOR THE SHORTFALLS"
Köse noted that when he put the fields up for sale to build the mosque, the lands became very valuable, and he was surprised by this situation himself.
Stating that he spent more than 5 million lira for the mosque, the dormitory, and the fountain, Köse said, "I will pave the courtyard of the mosque with stones; there are heating, minaret, and electrical works. I will sell my 30 acres of land for these shortfalls. According to my calculations, I will spend another 3 million lira for the shortfalls."