Photos: First Muslim Prayers Gather at Hagia Sophia Mosque After Reconversion

Last week, Turkey's highest administrative court, the Council of State, annulled the 1934 decree converting Hagia Sophia into a museum, meaning it can now be used as a mosque. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed the decree.

The first Friday prayer in 86 years is being held at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

First Official Prayer at Hagia Sophia After Mosque Reconversion

© Sputnik / Emre Öz

It is expected that the Muslim prayer in the now-mosque Hagia Sophia will bring together over 1,500 people.

First Official Prayer at Hagia Sophia After Mosque Reconversion

© Sputnik / Emre Öz

The Governor of Istanbul, Ali Yerlikaya, posted on Twitter a photo of the interior of the Hagia Sophia.

Tarihi bir güne uyandık.

86 yıl sonra #AyasofyaCamii’nin ibadete açılışı için hazırlıklarımız tamamlandı.

Bugün İstanbul’un parolası;

✅ Maske
✅ Mesafe
✅ Sabır
✅ Anlayış olacak.

Misafirlerimize hoş geldiniz diyor,
Görevli kardeşlerime başarılar diliyorum.

😷⬅️ ➡️🧴🕌 pic.twitter.com/chYnA7oYUq

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) July 24, 2020

​On 10 July Turkey's highest administrative court, the Council of State, annulled the decree converting Hagia Sophia into a museum. The move was poorly received abroad. The UNESCO world heritage site had been the largest Christian cathedral in the world for hundreds of years following its construction under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century.

Austria, France, Greece, Cyprus, Russia and the United States were among the countries that expressed regrets over Ankara's decision, while Turkey views the matter as its internal affairs.