LBCI

Turks hold first Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia mosque

Middle East

31-07-2020 | 09:42

Share

Share

Turks hold first Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia mosque

2^min

Turkey's Muslim worshipers attended Eid al-Adha prayers in Hagia Sophia on Friday (July 31) for the first time after the historic building was converted to a mosque.

Eid al-Adha -- the Feast of Sacrifice -- is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim Calendar. It includes the pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca, known as "Haj", which is one of the five pillars of Islam and is supposed to be undertaken by every Muslim who can afford to do so.

Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for 900 years until its capture by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453, after which it was one of Islam's most exalted mosques for nearly another 500 years until it was converted to a museum in 1934 by modern Turkey's secularist founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The ancient monument was once again declared a mosque earlier in July following a court ruling revoking its status as a museum, sparking criticism from Western countries, particularly Greece.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Turkey

Hagia Sophia

Eid

Church

Mosque

Prayers

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

News Bulletin Reports

13:12

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

Syrian, Israeli officials to meet in Baku: AFP

Middle East News

09:31

Syrian, Israeli officials to meet in Baku: AFP

Moscow urges Israel to halt airstrikes near Bushehr nuclear plant where Russian experts are stationed

Middle East News

2025-06-19

Moscow urges Israel to halt airstrikes near Bushehr nuclear plant where Russian experts are stationed

Lebanon announces new BDL Deputy Governors

2025-07-11

Lebanon announces new BDL Deputy Governors

Videos

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

2025-07-01

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

2025-06-10

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

News Bulletin Reports

2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

2025-04-23

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Tom Barrack says US mediating undisclosed Lebanon-Israel talks

1

Tom Barrack says US mediating undisclosed Lebanon-Israel talks

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

2

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

Lebanon-Syria tensions rise as Damascus steps up pressure over detainee issue

3

Lebanon-Syria tensions rise as Damascus steps up pressure over detainee issue

Surveillance towers on the southern border? Lebanon weighs UK plan amid Israeli concerns

4

Surveillance towers on the southern border? Lebanon weighs UK plan amid Israeli concerns

US envoy Tom Barrack clarifies Syria remarks: Not a threat to Lebanon, but a vision for coexistence

5

US envoy Tom Barrack clarifies Syria remarks: Not a threat to Lebanon, but a vision for coexistence

Israeli army claims strike killed Hezbollah member in Lebanon's south

6

Israeli army claims strike killed Hezbollah member in Lebanon's south

US backs $100M Super Tucano support for Lebanon in key show of military aid

7

US backs $100M Super Tucano support for Lebanon in key show of military aid

Lebanon’s water paradox: Taps run dry while water 'flows away'

8

Lebanon’s water paradox: Taps run dry while water 'flows away'

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More