Turkish Muslims want to pray in Hagia Sophia
May 18, 2012
Muslim activists in Turkey are restore the use of the Hagia Sophia as an Islamic place of prayer.
The Young People of Anatolia, a religious group, have petitioned the government for permission to pray in the building. They announced that they will begin holding prayer services directly outside the Hagia Sophia each Friday.
Originally built as a Christian church, the Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque by the Ottoman regime in 1453. The secular government established in Turkey by Kemal Ataturk made the building a museum in 1935.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Justin8110 -
May. 19, 2012 1:48 PM ET USA
It can't get any worse than being a secular museum. Both Catholics and Orthodox worshiped the Holy Trinity there so whether it is Muslims who mock the Trinity as a pagan fable or secularists who mock God using it as a museum I don't see how it could get any worse. Honestly I'd love to see a Mass offered there one day in the future when, God willing, both Islam and secularism are neutered and contained.
