Ankara - Turkey's first mosque designed by a woman was opened in Istanbul on Friday with the Grand Mufti of the city describing the Sakirin Mosque as both modern and respectful of Turkish culture.

"In this mosque, Turkish classical architecture has been protected but at the same time it is a modern building," Istanbul Grand Mufti Mustafa Cagrici told the German Press Agency dpa.

Cagrici said that the new mosque, designed by Zeynep Fadillioglu, with its walls of glass was an example of how the modern and the old could be brought together.

Islam's most important prayer session, Friday noon prayers, were chosen for the official opening of the new mosque in the suburb of Uskudar on the Asian side of Istanbul, with large crowds in attendance. (dpa)