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An imam is typically a Muslim leader, teacher, speaker, counselor, and caller to Islam.
However, for imam Metin Kaçar in Istanbul, his responsibility extends to daily cooking for the underprivileged in his neighborhood, as reported by Daily Sabah.
For the past 26 years, Kaçar, 60, has served as the imam of the Hürrem avuş Mosque. He normally spends his after-work hours cooking for roughly 100 young people and supervising the delivery of food and clothing to the neighborhood’s needy.
“It is my pleasure to cook. I don my apron after being done with my mosque duties and cook three different dishes for at least 40 to 50 youth, sometimes even 80 to 100,” said Kaçar, adding that they could hire a cook but he wants to be a part of the process and leave an impression among the youth.
He aspires to go above and beyond his formal obligations as imam of the mosque by ensuring that mosques bring together the needy and caring individuals who wish to help.
In addition to providing meals, imam Kaçar established the Uhuvvet Market (Fraternity Market) and clothes store within the mosque’s courtyard, from which he provides vital supplies to the poor.
“We visit homes on a regular basis and know where the sick, the bed-ridden and disabled people live,” he said, adding that he and his team ensure the donations are not wasted.
Kaçar wishes to continue assisting the poor as long as benefactors support his programs.
“Life is within the mosque, and the mosque is inside life,” he concluded.
All neighbors must be kind and cooperative with one another, sharing their joys and sorrows.
