By the 1970s the area which was once a prosperous residential and commercial district was increasingly derelict and home to many of the city's brothels which catered to sailors, tobacco factory workers and other travelers.

[4] In 1972 in an attempt to revitalize the area, the Samsun municipal government announced an urban renewal campaign that centered on the construction of a modern and eye-catching mosque.

On November 4, 1973, Vedat İşbilir from the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts and Sevinç Şahin from the Gazi University were selected as the lead design team.

[citation needed] As a result of poor craftsmanship, the dome, which was covered with 10x15 cm ceramics, suffered severe water damage and required extensive restoration effort only a few years after its completion.

The Samsun Islamic Foundation, formerly known as the İslam Diyanet and Merkez Mosque Construction and Sustainability Association, implemented a polyester finish to the dome in an attempt to resolve the issue.