Delaware Diyanet Mosque (New Castle/Delaware)




















The Process of Receiving and Its Development
A New Need and a New Beginning in 2013: After the severance of ties with the Glasgow Mosque, the Muslim community in Delaware felt the need for a permanent and universal place of worship. The diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds of Muslims in the region heightened the need for an independent and inclusive mosque. The most logical step in this direction was to establish a mosque affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
To this end, a search for a suitable building and structure began under the leadership of Mustafa Tuncer, Yavuz Ekinci, Alican DüğmeoÄŸlu, Ömer Günaydın (late), Emin Düğme, Hakan Demircan, and Jamil Turk (late). Ultimately, an old church building was located, and the purchase process was initiated. In consultation with the Presidency of Religious Affairs, Mustafa Tuncer worked closely with the then-President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez, and our Religious Affairs Advisor, YaÅŸar Çolak, to manage the process. Financial Challenges and Community Solidarity: While there was no problem acquiring the mosque with a mortgage, it needed to be completely debt-free before it could be transferred to the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Therefore, a call was made to the community to raise the necessary funds. Having previously provided significant financial support for the Glasgow Mosque, the Muslims in the region were now faced with a second financial burden. Fundraisers were organized, soliciting support not only from the Turkish community but from all Muslims in the region. However, this process proved financially challenging. The Contribution of the Directorate of Religious Affairs and Its Social Impact The creation of a physical prayer space was important; however, an even more critical element was the appointment of a religious scholar affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Thanks to the Diyanet's recruitment of religious scholars in the United States, the mosque gained a more institutional structure and began to attract the attention of Muslims from different nationalities in the region. Iftar events held during Ramadan reinforced the mosque's place in society and provided an opportunity for people from different cultures to come together. Mosque-Centered Cultural and Social Activities The mosque became a center not only for prayer but also for social solidarity and cultural events. Until 2020, many events were organized, such as: • Conversations with religious scholars, • Charity bazaars organized by the Women's Branch, • Group picnics, • Circumcision gatherings, • Tree-planting activities. After 2020, events dedicated to Türkiye's national holidays, such as April 23 and May 19, began to be held. Difficulties and Criticisms in the Management Process Efforts made to reach wider audiences for mosque activities have yielded largely positive results;Â
Our mosque has come to these days by establishing a foundation and working together in unity and solidarity with the community, foundation, association and teacher.
One of the important figures who contributed greatly to our mosque but is no longer with us was the late Jamil Türk, a Palestinian. He made significant contributions to the establishment of all mosques in Delaware and was a deeply loved figure in the Turkish community. Also on the mosque's board of directors is our uncle Ömer Günaydın, who has passed away. May God have mercy on both of them. On this occasion, we offer our condolences to those who contributed to our mosque and passed away. We wish health and well-being to those who are still alive.
When the mosque was purchased in 2014, it consisted of approximately 28 acres of land and two parts: a church and a social facility.
 Address: 249 Appleby rd. New Castle, DE, 19720
President of the Association: Alayiddin Ozdemir
856 278 35 15