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Jamiaturraza Istanbul is the Istanbul branch of Jamiatur Raza, the Sunni university in Bareilly Shareef, India, founded in 2000 by Taj al-Shari’ah Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan al-Azhari رحمه الله. In Turkey it is a registered association (dernek): Rıza İlim ve Yardımlaşma Derneği.
The “Rıza” in our name is that of Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan al-Hanafi al-Qadiri رحمه الله of Bareilly, known in Turkish as A’lâ Hazret İmam Ahmed Rıza Han. We belong to Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama’a in his tradition: Hanafi in fiqh, Maturidi in creed, Qadiri in tariqa.
Our mission
Our name states our purpose: Rıza İlim ve Yardımlaşma Derneği, the Rıza Association for Knowledge and Mutual Help. In knowledge, we teach the faith and practice of Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama’a as its scholars have handed them down, beginning with the Qur’an for children, and we work to make the writings of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan known to readers in Turkish and Arabic. In mutual help, we bring aid to people in need, near and far.
Why Istanbul
Istanbul is the city of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari رضي الله عنه, the Companion who hosted the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah and who rests at the walls of Constantinople. Other Companions and many of the friends of Allah are buried here, and relics of the Prophet ﷺ, of his family and of his Companions are kept in the Topkapı Palace. For almost five centuries, from 1453 to 1922, it was the capital of the Ottomans and a seat of Sunni rule, and it has more than three thousand mosques. Generations of scholars and seekers have come to it.
It also lies where Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa meet, a natural meeting place for scholars from East and West, and many Sunni Muslims from India, Pakistan and Africa have made their homes here. Jamiaturraza Istanbul was founded at the direction of Qaid-e-Millat Mufti Asjad Raza Khan حفظه الله, to establish the teaching of Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama’a in this city in the light of the works of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan.
Our work
- The madrassa — close to fifty young students study there every day.
- Syria relief — heating in winter and food parcels.
The inauguration, 7 July 2024
Jamiaturraza Istanbul was inaugurated on 7 July 2024 by Qaid-e-Millat Mufti Asjad Raza Khan حفظه الله, Principal of Jamiatur Raza, Bareilly, and President of Jamaat Raza-e-Mustafa.1
An earlier visit: Taj al-Shari’ah in Istanbul, 2014
Ten years before the inauguration, on 7 September 2014, Taj al-Shari’ah came to Istanbul for three days. His journey was recorded in a travelogue by Mufti Aashiq Hussain Kashmiri, who was with him; it is told on the Taj al-Shari’ah page.2
Our centre
Our centre is in Sultangazi, Istanbul, and visitors are welcome.
The building from the street 
The prayer hall 
The mihrab 
A room in the centre
Registration
- Name
- Rıza İlim ve Yardımlaşma Derneği
- Registry no. (kütük no)
- 34-283-153
- Founded
- 4 October 2023
- Registered address
- Cebeci Mah. 2512. Sokak, Dış Kapı No: 23, Kat: 4, İç Kapı No: 1, Sultangazi / İstanbul
- Visiting address
- Cebeci, 2512. Sk. 23a, 34270 Sultangazi / İstanbul · Google Maps
Sources
-
“Istanbul, Türkiye: Inauguration of Jamiatur Raza Istanbul, 7th July 2024”, muftiasjadraza.com. Back to reference 1
-
Mawlana Ashiq Hussain Kashmiri, Huzoor Taj al-Shari’ah’s Trip to Istanbul 2014 (PDF). Back to reference 2