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Hagia Sophia: Former Istanbul museum welcomes Muslim worshippers - BBC News
Crowds 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). Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog
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Crowds 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). Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog
View on YouTube
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