Hagia Sophia: Former Istanbul museum welcomes Muslim worship – BBC News

The groups gathered in Istanbul for the first time the Hagia Sophia historic site was opened for Friday prayers to be turned into a mosque by Turkish authorities. “Muslims are excited. Everyone wants to be at the inauguration,” Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday. The 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site was turned into a museum in 1934. But a Turkish court overturned the situation, saying no other use as a mosque was “legally possible.” Afterwards, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the world-famous site would be ready for Friday prayers from July 24, and that the worshipers were seen meeting at noon (09:00 GMT). Subscribe HERE .

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