The construction of the mosque remains unfinished, so the congregation is praying in the historic church.

The residents of Güvemli Village in Torul district of Gümüşhane, started the construction of a mosque in 2018 because the single-room building converted from a church in their village was not sufficient for them. However, due to financial constraints, the construction of the mosque, which was entirely built by the villagers through collective effort, came to a halt. The villagers, who are unable to perform their prayers in the converted building, have asked for support from philanthropists to complete their mosque.

"WE DON'T HAVE AN IMAM HOUSE"

Zeki Aksu, the muhtar (village head) of Güvemli Village, explained that the construction of the mosque has been on hold for a long time due to financial problems. He said, "We started the construction of this mosque in 2018, and the mosque we currently use is converted from a church. We don't have an imam house, there was no place for a fountain and other necessities. We initiated a project to bring all of these under one roof. We have come this far with the efforts of the villagers. But now the situation doesn't allow it. It is currently unfinished. We don't have the financial means. We perform our prayers in a converted church, but it is not enough. We want to complete our mosque if philanthropists help us."

"PEOPLE DONATE THE MONEY THEY EARN FROM SELLING PRODUCTS AT THE MARKET TO THE MOSQUE"

Hasan Yazıcı, the minaret craftsman, stated that the villagers have done everything they can for the construction of the mosque, but they have exhausted their resources. He said, "We came here a month ago and started building the minaret. Of course, they told us that they didn't have the financial means before we started our work, and we took this into account and started this job. I saw that the muhtar is struggling a lot here, and the villagers are very attached to the mosque. This village doesn't have any income. The villagers sell the beans they grow themselves at the market and donate the money they earn to the muhtar for the construction of the mosque. They have brought this construction to this day, but the future is very difficult."