Taksim Mosque, Istanbul (since 2021) The mosque is located in Taksim Square. After decades of political and legal battles, the mosque opened in 2021 and was inaugurated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Unlike historic mosques, which are made of stone, the Taksim Mosque was constructed using modern materials. It includes a cultural center, an exhibition space, a library, and underground parking, integrating religious and public functions. It is located in front of the Taksim Square subway station and the iconic structures in the square that symbolize modern, secular Turkey. These include the Republic Monument (Cumhuriyet Anıtı), which commemorates the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The monument features statues of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü, and Fevzi Çakmak. The Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) is a major venue for opera, ballet, concerts, and theater. Originally opened in 1969, it was closed for renovations and rebuilt by 2021. Gezi Park is adjacent to the square. It was the epicenter of the 2013 Gezi Park protests against authoritarianism.