Victor Osimhen: Outrage in Turkey After Mosque Is Renamed After Galatasaray Star
- Some Turkish residents have expressed their dissatisfaction after a mosque was renamed after Victor Osimhen
- Osimhen completed a permanent switch to Galatasaray last month after spending last season on loan at the club
- Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has confirmed that the Super Eagles star will make his second debut this weekend
A group of Muslims in Turkey have reacted after a mosque was renamed after Super Eagles and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen is adored in Istanbul after impressing during his season-long loan spell, which prompted the club to sign him permanently from Napoli.
Source: Getty Images
He arrived at the Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul on July 30 to a crowd of supporters who tracked his flights and welcomed him to the city.
The striker earned the love of the fans even before he kicked a ball when he joined on loan. His performances on the pitch further solidified his legacy.
Muslim reacts after mosque was renamed after Osimhen
According to Daily Post, there is outrage in Turkey after a mosque was renamed after Victor Osimhen, much to the annoyance of the worshippers.
The popular Bulut Mosque in Konya was listed as ‘Victor Osimhen Mosque’ and the worshippers have labelled it as a disrespect because the player is a Christian.
“It’s a shame to name a non-Muslim and make a mockery of it. We consider it an insult to Muslims, the mosque community, and mosques themselves,” Zeki Yaylaci said.
“We have been a congregation of Bulut Mosque since its opening. We are against it being changed to Victor Osimhen. The name Victor Osimhen is a Christian name. As the mosque congregation, we want the authorities to look into this issue,” another worshiper said as quoted by Sports247.
“On the internet, it says the mosque is in Victor Osimhen’s name, but this has been the Bulut Mosque for over 10 years. Everyone knows it as such. He’s not a Konyaspor player, he’s done nothing for the mosque, and we don’t understand the connection,” a third congregant said.
The renaming is said to be an incorrect user edit on Google, and the striker is believed the Super Eagles forward is unaware of the incident.
Source: Getty Images
Lion cub named after Osimhen
The mosque is not the only place or thing to be named after the Super Eagles forward as fans continue to immortalise their beloved striker.
According to Daily Sabah, two lion cubs, which were born in June, were named after Osimhen and his former teammate's son, Ciro.
The lions, born at the Berkem Aslan Diyarı in Manavgat District in Antalya, southern Türkiye, have become the zoo’s mascot.
They were initially named Simba and Nala, but the presence of many Galatasaray fans after their championship victory prompted the name change.
Galatasaray manager explains Osimhen's absence
Legit.ng previously reported that Galatasaray manager explained Osimhen’s absence from the match day squad for their 3-0 win away at Gaziantep.
The Turkish Super League champions began their title defence with the win, but their star striker missed it after having a few days of training after his move.
Source: Legit.ng
