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Hagia Sophia: Former Istanbul museum welcomes Muslim worshippers - BBC News
Posted
July 24, 2020
Views
625,973
Likes
9,356
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Engagement
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July 24, 2020
625,973
9,356
8,589
2.87%
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7:46Now PlayingCrowds gathered in Istanbul as the historic Hagia Sophia site opened for Friday prayers for the first time since Turkish authorities ruled it could be converted into a mosque.
"Muslims are excited, everyone wants to be at the opening," Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday.
The 1,500-year-old Unesco World Heritage site became a museum in 1934.
But a Turkish court annulled its status, saying any use other than as a mosque was "not possible legally".
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan then announced that the world-famous site would be ready for Friday prayers from 24 July, and he was seen joining worshippers at around midday (09:00 GMT).
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