Safiye Sultan

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Safiye Sultan was the wife of Ottoman Sultan Murad III and mother of Sultan Mehmed III. It is believed she was of Albanian descent. Her name "Safiye" means "the pure one". Her date of death is uncertain between 1605 and 1619.

She was captured by corsairs and presented to the Ottoman harem. Following the steps of Nur Banu, Safiye Sultan played an important political role during the reigns of both sultans.

She is also famous for starting the construction of the Yeni Valide Mosque (New Mosque) in Istanbul in 1598. The Al-Malika Safiyya Mosque (Malika Safiya) in Cairo is named in her honor.

[edit] Reference

Maria Pia Pedani, Safiye’s Household and Venetian Diplomacy, Turcica, 32 (2000), pp. 9-32.