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12.12.2013 |
Turkey and Palestine Joint Stamps |
Palestine declared its independence on November 15, 1988 at Algeria and it was officially recognized by many countries including Turkey. Palestine passesses territories that are sacred for Jews, Christians and Muslims. On November 29,2012 the United Nations recognized the existence of Palestine by promoting its "Entity" status to "Non-Member State" status.
Al-Aqsa Mosque: Al-Aqsa Mosque means "The Farthest Mosque" in Arabic and it is located Jerusalem. It was constructed by Solomon the prophet in 715 AD.
A reason for the exceptional significance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Islam is that it is the location of Isra and Miraj of the prophet Hz.Muhammad. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the first Qibla of Muslims. With the acceptance of the Kaaba as the Qibla after the second year of the Hijra, Muslims began pray facing the Kaaba instead of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque:The Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa between 1609-1616 for Sultan Ahmet the 1st. Due to its blue,green and white Iznik tile patterns and blue hand-drawn decorations, it is known as the Blue Mosque by Europeans.
The Mosque is a large complex with madrasas, bazaar, Turkish Baths, fountain, hospital, hospice and shopsin it. The interiorof the mosque has the floor plan of a four leaved clover. The worship area is refreshing with 260 masterly placed Windows. With these windows, the large dome appears to be suspended in air. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque has the characteristics of being Turkey's first 6 minaret mosque. Four of the minarets have three balconies (şerefe) and two have two balconies. The minarets having 16 balconies demonstrate that Sultan Ahmet is the 16th sultan.
The commemorative block themed the Turkey-Palestine Joint Stamp consists of two stamps valued 1.10 and 2.20 Turkish Liras and has been issued on 12.12.2013
