From museum to mosque: Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque welcomes 25 million visitors in 4 years

By Hikmet Faruk Baser

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a major attraction for residents and tourists in Istanbul, has attracted 25 million visitors in the four years since it was reopened for worship.

Hagia Sophia, which served as a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul, and as a mosque from 1453, functioned as a museum for 86 years after a decision in 1934.

Türkiye's Association for the Protection of Historical Monuments and Environment had filed a lawsuit requesting the annulment of the Council of Ministers' decision to convert Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum.

The case ended July 10, 2020, with the 10th Chamber of the Council of State unanimously annulling the Council of Ministers' decision that was dated Nov. 24, 1934, paving the way for Hagia Sophia to be reopened for worship.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the decree to reopen Hagia Sophia for worship on the same day.

The president's decision to transfer Hagia Sophia to the Presidency of Religious Affairs and reopen it for worship was published in the Official Gazette.

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was reopened for worship with a ceremony attended by Erdogan and the first Friday prayer in 86 years on July 24, 2020.

Istanbul Deputy Mufti Ahmet Akturkoglu told Anadolu that the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is one of the most important symbols of the conquest of Istanbul.

Akturkoglu noted that it served Muslims for centuries after the conquest.

"Since Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was reopened for worship on July 24, 2020, it has welcomed approximately 25 million visitors over four years. We continuously host many local and foreign visitors at Hagia Sophia Mosque," he said.

Akturkoglu also said people from all over the country and different countries, Muslims and non-Muslims, visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.

"It is one of the important historical sites that attract everyone's interest. Depending on the season, Hagia Sophia Mosque receives an average of around 50,000 visitors daily. Annually, our visitor numbers reach approximately 6 - 7 million."

Akturkoglu added that, in addition to daily prayers, various events are organized at the mosque under the auspices of the Istanbul Mufti's Office.

"For example, we have Hagia Sophia lectures, Sahih al-Bukhari lectures, guidance lessons, knowledge lessons on Saturdays and Sundays, special programs conducted on the nights of religious observances, and the graduation ceremonies of our Quran memorization students, which we carry out in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education's memorization project. We hold graduation ceremonies at Hagia Sophia twice a year," he said.

- 50 staff members assist visitors at mosque

Akturkoglu said that people come to convert to Islam and officials perform an average of one or two conversion ceremonies at the mosque daily.

He said they provide guidance and ceremonial services at Hagia Sophia.

"We have 50 staff members here as personnel of the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Some of them help visitors adhere to mosque etiquette and guide the congregation during prayer times. Additionally, we have mosque guides who provide religious guidance and explain the cultural and religious aspects of Islam and Hagia Sophia, especially to foreign tourists," he said.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi