Istanbul: Mosques in Turkey reopened on Friday for mass prayers after more than two months as the government further eased strict restrictions to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
Turkey has been shifting since May to a "new normal" by easing lockdown measures and opening shopping malls, barbershops and hair salons.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said many other sites -- restaurants and cafes as well as libraries, parks and beaches -- will reopen from Monday.
Hundreds of worshippers wearing protective masks performed mass prayers outside Istanbul's historic Blue Mosque for the first time since mosques were shut down in March.
In the Ottoman-era Fatih mosque, worshippers prayed both inside and outside, with the municipality handing out disinfectants and disposable carpets.
"I have waited a lot for this, I have prayed a lot. I can say it's like a new birth, thanks to God, he has brought us back here," he said.
Another worshipper, Asum Tekif, 50, said: "It has a been a long time... we missed the mosques."
Turkey, a country of 83 million, has so far recorded 4,489 coronavirus-related deaths and 162,120 confirmed cases.
Prayers in Hagia Sophia
Muslim clerics on Friday recited prayers in the Hagia Sophia, the world famous Istanbul landmark which is now a museum after serving as a church and a mosque.
The prayers were held to celebrate the anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople, today's Istanbul, by the Ottomans in 1453.
"It is very important to commemorate the 567th anniversary of the conquest ... through prayers in the Hagia Sophia," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who attended the ceremony via videoconference.
The stunning edifice was first built as a church in the sixth century under the Byzantine Empire as the centrepiece of its capital Constantinople.
After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque before being turned into a museum during the rule of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in the 1930s.
But there have been hints about reconverting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Last year, Erdogan himself mooted the possibility of turning Hagia Sofia museum into a mosque.
Such calls have sparked anger among Christians and raised tensions with neighbouring Greece.
In 2015, a Muslim cleric recited the Koran in the Hagia Sophia for the first time in 85 years to mark the opening of an exhibition.
After Friday prayers at the Blue Mosque, a small group of Muslim worshippers shouted: "Let the chains break and let the Hagia Sophia open".
The group was later dispersed by the police who stopped them from protesting near Hagia Sophia that sits immediately opposite the Blue Mosque.
Comments
Ley ali ...4 options kottu ...72 mele sigathe antha heli ...massage maadsi ...kaas kottu ... masha Allah ...antha helisbahudu ankondiya ....hahaha ..antha tapori alla kanayya ....naren kotian daaaaaa.....
Masha Allah
Naren will accept Islam by next year, insha allah.
His new name will be Muhammed Naren.
Naren,
Muttalrige estu helidru artha agalla, avarige avaradde raga,
We have thousands of Indian nurses working in Saudi Arabia mostly from Kerala and mostly non-muslims, But, only a very little percentage have changed their faith,
What you are mentioning here is all false, bogus and baseless,
Inchu illah ..massagu illa ...I have seen plenty of filippinaa and Nepalese who shifted to Singapore and Thailand after working in Saudi. ..to gain benefits they do ..non Muslim find difficult to get benefits when compared to jihadist...so it is temporary ...once they are back they are back to boom boom style ...I have met 2 escorts till now from Philippine . ..both had Muslim name. ..business ge ashte ...women nurse galu Saudi nalli kelsa madakke first convert agbeku ...illandre ...hardcore patients muttiskollodilvanthe.... Haha...even I have learnt about Islam and have one pseudo name to deal with Muslims ....it is purely for business's... Bari incoming alla swamy....outgoing bagge Matadi ...haha.. .u want me to show iskon Muslims ?
Syed,
When the people who associate partners with ALLAH revert and Worship ALLAH alone... They are already be forgiven for their Past Sin. ALLAH is most forgiving and most merciful....
May Allah forgive us and make us one of the inheriters of the Jannah.
ALHAMDULILLAH, MAY ALLAH SWT INCREASE THEIR IMAAN.AND FORGIVE THEIR PAST SINS. AAMEEN
Islam is the only religion accept by the almighty ALLAH (God) . Please make a research Y God accept only ISLAM. There is a life after death... We Muslims know that and U never understand this cos the Guidance comes only when U learn about the CREATOR who created U, ME and all that EXists...
Read QURAN with translation... U can also check online , i prefer Quranproject which is well explained to those who dont know about ISLAM and the one GOD who is the God of all that exists.
Finally Read it and U also have the choice to accept it or Not ... There is no compulsion in Religion... (What a better way Allah gives u the choice to accept it or not)
Islam is a true religion there is no place in Islam for Nama, Rama, Duma, Thoma and Roma all the prayers for Almighty Allah and leave and live for Allah, this is not only in Saudi all Muslim countries Non Muslims attract to Islam, one who see true Muslims and their believe in Allah they accept Islam..Insha Allah Islam will spread every where. Non believers and terrorists who do terrorism in the name of Islam will disappear one day Insha Allah
Dear Brother Ahmed, I agree with your comments.. But we cant throw stones for all dogs which keeps barking on roadside right? Bolney waley bolney do jo aney waley ayengey.. Cos Islam is such a religion if one non muslim goes deep into Quran he will not be non muslim later.. In Sha Allah many more to come in future
AlHamdulillah
Allahu Akber
Ma Sha Allah.. Welcome to Islam brothers and sisters.. May Allah bless you and all..
Burnol Bhagya for some :D
This kind of news will give sleepless nights to Sangh Parivar, Now they will come up with the comments like:-
It's done by the force of sword
It's for Jehadi purpose
They accepted Islam for monetary gains
Blah, Blah, Blah
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