Imam Attacked While Cleaning Mosque in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler
Istanbul, May 26 – Selami Beyaztaş, the Imam Hatip of Siyavuşpaşa Merkez Mosque in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler district, was assaulted and injured by an unknown assailant while performing pre-Eid cleaning duties at the mosque yesterday. The attacker, who fled the scene, was later apprehended by police.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred around 11:00 AM yesterday when Imam Beyaztaş was cleaning the mosque. According to his statement to the police, an individual asked him to unplug the vacuum cleaner, stating he wanted to pray. Beyaztaş responded that he would unplug it after finishing the remaining two rows. The assailant then unplugged the vacuum cleaner himself.
Beyaztaş re-plugged the vacuum cleaner, and the individual moved to the right side of the minbar, out of the imam’s sight. Approximately 10-15 seconds later, the assailant suddenly approached Beyaztaş from the other side of the minbar and repeatedly punched him in the mouth area. Beyaztaş immediately ran to the mosque courtyard to seek help, but the assailant caught up with him and delivered another punch to his face, forcing him to apologize before fleeing the scene.
Imam Sustains Injuries, Attacker Apprehended
Following the attack, mosque congregants were alerted, and health teams were dispatched to the scene upon their notification. Beyaztaş was taken to the hospital for treatment. Medical examinations revealed that his nasal cartilage was broken, his upper lip was severely lacerated, and the area under his right eye was significantly damaged.
After receiving treatment, Beyaztaş went to the police station and filed a complaint against the assailant. He stated that he did not know the attacker and had not seen him among the congregants before.
Istanbul Provincial Police Department teams launched an investigation into the incident at Bahçelievler Siyavuşpaşa Mosque. Through field work, police identified and apprehended the suspect, identified as F.C.Y.
It was learned that the assailant had a history of receiving psychological treatment. The suspect is currently being held at the police station, and legal proceedings are underway.
Community Reaction and Broader Context
The incident has sparked concern within the local community regarding the safety of religious officials and places of worship. This event underscores the importance of maintaining security in public and religious spaces.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the motive behind the attack, but the ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances. The swift apprehension of the suspect by the police has been met with appreciation from the community.
The incident occurred during preparations for Eid, a significant religious holiday, adding to the distress caused by the assault. The mosque community has expressed its support for Imam Beyaztaş during his recovery.
This event is an isolated incident, but it highlights the need for continued vigilance and security measures to ensure the safety of all citizens, particularly those serving in public roles.
