Hagia

Huge crowds gather for the first Friday prayers at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia

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Huge crowds gather for the first Friday prayers at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia since Turkey’s President Erdogan sparked Christian anger by turning it back into a mosque The prayers, which are first in 86 years at the structure, saw thousands of worshippers travel across country Mr Erdogan is scheduled to attend alongside 500 dignitaries as he … Read more

Pope ‘deeply pained’ over Turkey’s move on Hagia Sophia

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The Pope is ‘deeply pained’ over Erodgan’s decision to convert the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque  The Santa Sophia cathedral was turned into a mosque after the Ottomans conquered Istanbul in 1453 It’s been a museum since 1934, now Erdogan is converting it back into a mosque  By Associated Press Published: 12:07 BST, 12 … Read more

Istanbul’s iconic former cathedral Hagia Sophia transformed into a mosque by President Erdogan

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Istanbul’s iconic former cathedral Hagia Sophia is transformed into a mosque by President Erdogan as he drums of support for his Islamic-rooted party – sparking fury from Christian groups and the US.  On Friday Turkey’s highest administrative court issued a ruling that will pave the way for the government to convert the sixth century building, … Read more