The Great Transition

The Green Flags of Conquest: Those are the flags you see today at the stairs of the minbar (pulpit). There are typically two green flags hung on the minbar. In Ottoman tradition, these represent the “Flags of Conquest” (Fetih Sancakları). When a city was taken by force (rather than surrender), the central mosque of that city (the Fethiye mosque) was granted the honor of flying these flags.

The Imam and the Sword: You may also see the Imam delivering the sermon while holding a sword. This is an Ottoman tradition; it signifies that the city was conquered by the power of the army and that the Sultan is the protector of the faith.

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