Aug 5,2011

The sacred relics of Prophet Muhammad will be displayed in Istanbul during the holy month of Ramadan.

Professor Mustafa Cagrici, mufti of Istanbul, said Thursday that the relics would be open to people's visit at Istanbul's Mosque of the Holy Mantle at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, adding that people would be able to see the Holy Mantle till the first day of the Ramadan Feast.

HOLY MANTLE

The Holy Mantle is an item of clothing that is believed to have been gifted by Prophet Muhammad to Uways al-Qarani. After Qarani lost his life during the Battle of Siffin, the mantle was taken to Istanbul by his brother.

A chamber was built by Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I to let people who wanted to see the sacred relics of the Prophet. Later, Mosque of the Holy Mantle was built in Fatih district of Istanbul in 1851. Since 1780, the holy mantle has been open to visitors every day starting from the first Friday prayer day of Ramadan till the first day of the Ramadan Feast.

((Ahlul Bayt News Agency, with editorial amendments)