Erdogan: First Muslim prayer at Hagia Sophia attended by 350,000 people

The first Muslim prayer at Hagia Sophia after the reconversion of the cathedral from a museum into a mosque. Photo: ntv.com.tr

The first Muslim prayer after the conversion of Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque was attended by 350 thousand worshippers. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this to journalists on July 24, 2020, reports Ukrinform.

"According to the information I’ve just received, 350,000 people attended Friday prayer," the Turkish leader said after the first Muslim prayer in 86 years was held at Hagia Sophia.

"As a cultural heritage of all humanity, it [Hagia Sophia Mosque – Ed.] is a place where people of all religions can come and visit," Erdogan said.

He underlined that the monument now returned to its "roots" and would serve all believers.

"Now, this place has returned to its roots, it was a mosque and has become a mosque again. Now, I hope it will continue to serve all believers forever as a mosque."

At the end of the prayer, the President of Turkey visited the burial place of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, who conquered Constantinople in 1453 and turned the Hagia Sophia into the main mosque of the Ottoman state.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.