News

Turkiye’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque To Hold First Tarawih Prayer In 88 Years

ISTANBUL, March 31 (Bernama) — Turkiye’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul will hold its first tarawih prayer in 88 years, a special evening prayer during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

A number of events for Ramadan will also be held at the mosque, which was converted into a museum in 1934 and regained its status as a mosque in 2020, when it was opened for worship on July 24 of that year.

As part of COVID-19 restrictions in Turkiye, however, the mosque could not be used since the pandemic began due to the risk of infection.

But with most of the population vaccinated and the number of new cases and fatalities declining and recoveries increasing daily, Turkish authorities decided to reopen the mosque for Ramadan, the holiest month of the year for Muslims.

Hagia Sophia was built in the year 532 CE. It was turned into a mosque in 1453 after the conquest of Istanbul.

It served as a church for 916 years and 86 years as a museum. But for most of its existence — from 1453 to 1934, or nearly 500 years — it served as a mosque.

In 1985, Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hagia Sophia is also among Turkiye’s top tourism destinations and remains open for domestic and foreign visitors.

Sources: BERNAMA

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Maxim Rolls Out Partner-Driver Legalization Program to Elevate Compliance and Road Safety

Maxim, one of Malaysia’s leading e-hailing platforms, has officially introduced a Partner-Driver Legalization Program designed… Read More

43 minutes ago

Sabah Crowned Malaysia’s Favourite Destination, A Paradise of Peaks, Seas, and Culture Awaits!

Sabah, located in the north-eastern part of Borneo, has officially earned the title of Malaysia’s… Read More

57 minutes ago

Coca‑Cola Brings Back ‘Share a Coke’ Now With a Proudly Malaysian Twist

This Merdeka, Coca‑Cola is turning up the nostalgia and the local flavour. The iconic ‘Share… Read More

19 hours ago

11 Women, 8 Countries, 1 Dream: ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships 2025 Announced

Picture this: 11 brilliant women from across ASEAN are packing their bags, not just for… Read More

23 hours ago

L’Oréal Malaysia Celebrates 30 Years of Beauty Innovation and Impact

L’Oréal Groupe today marked its 30th anniversary in Malaysia, celebrating three decades of bringing world-class… Read More

23 hours ago

Smiles Are the New Flex, But 34% of Malaysians Still Hide Theirs

Smiles aren’t just cosmetic anymore they’re currency. But here’s the catch: 34% of people admit… Read More

23 hours ago

This website uses cookies.