[fatnotlazy]

Many years ago, long before 9/11, I toured a mosque in Istanbul. As I recall, we tourists were allowed into the main worship area. We did have to remove our shoes and bare shoulders had to be covered (they issued what looked like those paper gowns you get in the doctor’s office). Otherwise, I don’t recall any restrictions.

Since there are different Muslim sects and given the way things are after 9/11, there may be different rules regarding tours by us infidels.

[JoeFromSidney]

During my two semesters as a visiting prof at Marmara U. in Istanbul, I visited numerous mosques, both in Istanbul and elsewhere. I never could figure out the rules. Always I had to take my shoes off. In some cases I could enter while prayers were being said; in other cases no. Because if this uncertainty, I always went as part of a guided tour, so I wouldn't create an international incident.