Every day 10.000 people visit the Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey and each of them receives a plastic bag to carry their shoes through the mosque.

I refused to accept one because I wanted to carry my shoes on my hands, but I wasn´t allowed to continue without it. After the visit at the mosque, the plastic bags will be thrown into the bin and will not be reused.

The reason for not wearing shoes is religious, but the use of plastic is affecting the whole people of the world, no matter what religion they are.

They could give reusable fabric bags at the entrance and put a bin at the exit of the mosque for people to give it back. They are already doing this with the burkas for women, so we know it works already. 

The environment is at a turning point. Plastic, and in particular single-use plastic shopping bags, are a major environmental concern. Most of the plastic that has been produced still persists, and yes, it is a problem that will outlive people for many centuries.

Please help by signing this petition and let's start changing the future!