Claims Emerge About Black Stone Fragments in Istanbul Mosques, Experts Urge Caution

RIYADH: Claims circulating on social media have sparked debate over whether fragments of the Hajar al-Aswad are embedded in historic mosques in Istanbul.
According to these unverified reports, during 16th-century renovations of the Kaaba, some pieces of the Black Stone were allegedly not returned to Mecca but instead installed in prominent Ottoman-era religious and royal structures.
The claims suggest that renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan placed the largest fragment in the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent in Istanbul. Other fragments are said to have been incorporated into the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, while an additional piece, reportedly linked to the Rukn al-Yamani, is claimed to be housed in the Eski Mosque.
However, historians and experts caution that there is limited verified historical evidence supporting these assertions. They emphasize that the claims remain unconfirmed and should not be accepted as established historical fact without further credible research.