The First Time in Ottoman History: No Adhan and Friday Prayers, Offenders Threatened with Sanctions

The Ottoman Empire was founded on 27 July 1299 by the great leader Osman I, son of Ertuğrul. From the establishment of the state until its final days, the call to prayer of Muhammad never ceased to resound and Friday prayers were always performed. Even during the most difficult times, including when the capital, Istanbul, was occupied by the Allies on 13 November 1918, there is no record of Friday prayers being halted. However, there was one day unlike any other in Ottoman history. On that day, the adhan was not heard and Friday prayers were not performed because mosques were closed and the call to prayer was banned. According to the Gregorian calendar, that day was 29 September 1730, which fell on a Friday. On that day, an event occurred which is recorded as the first and only instance in the history of the Ottoman Empire where the adhan was not proclaimed and Friday prayers were not held because all mosques were shut. The period between 1718 and 1730 is known as the Tulip Era (Lale Devri). The tulip was an immensely popular flower and was widespread throughout Istanbul at that time. This era was viewed by palace officials and advisors as a period of reform aimed at bringing modernisation and progress to the state.