Uncle Ali started building the Nizamiye Mosque Complex in 2009, and completed the project in 2012. Photo: Supplied
Well-known Turkish businessman and philanthropist Ali Katırcıoğlu who funded and oversaw the construction of the Nizamiye Mosque Complex in Midrand, Johannesburg, has passed away.
Uncle Ali as he is fondly known, and who resembles “Suleyman Shah” in the Diriliş Ertuğrul Turkish series, passed away on Thursday at the age of 85.
South African based Turkish journalist Turkman Terzi told The Citizen Uncle Ali passed way from natural causes.
“Uncle Ali just lost his wife Necla Katırcıoğlu two months ago. He was heartbroken and grieving too much when his wife died and he could not cope.”
Terzi said Uncle Ali started building the Nizamiye Complex in 2009, and completed the project in 2012.
“He met late President Nelson Mandela before the construction and got his advice and with Mandela’s advice, he added a clinic into the complex for South Africans.”
The Nizamiye Mosque, which was officially inaugurated by former President Jacob Zuma, has become a unique landmark and part of the Johannesburg sky-line.
It is a small replica of the Ottoman Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey.
Terzi said Uncle Ali was living with his wife in South Africa while the rest of the family were living abroad.
Dr Ismail Mitha, who knew Uncle Ali well and led prayer at the Nizamiye Mosque, said Uncle Ali was a very compassionate, loving and gentle soul.
“He’s done lots for many and may all his work and his good deeds accompany him in his resting place. We make dua (prayer) that Allah grants him the highest stages of paradise and grant his family ease.”
“He did a lot of philanthropic work in the community. He was a giant and he established himself in this community in 2006,” Mitha said.
Uncle Ali will be buried on Friday after the midday prayers next to his wife at the Nizamiye Mosque in Midrand.
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