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Preparations for opening the Hagia Sophia to Muslim worshippers were settled on Thursday.
But previously this month, a Turkish court annulled Hagia Sophia’s museum status, stating its usage as anything other than a mosque was “not possible lawfully”.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan then revealed that the world-famous site would be utilized as a mosque for Friday prayers from 24 July.
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Mr Erdogan stated the Hagia Sophia would stay open up to all Muslims, non-Muslims and visitors.
Hagia Sophia was developed as an Orthodox Christian cathedral and very first transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest 9 centuries later.
In a telecasted address on Thursday, Governor Yerlikaya prompted those going to prayers on Friday to bring “[face] masks, a prayer carpet, perseverance and understanding” as procedures to help preve