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.
Mr Kodichal's in a press meet last week had strongly supported Muslim Personal Law and stated that polygamy is far better than prostitution.
Comments
whoever want to oppose muslim talaq system or polygamy matter in please learn about it then come to talk about it.........
@ #13 Naren Kotian Singapore.
Naren please join our Sister Jashodaben Fans Group,We will make you the President of our Fans Club.If possible we will expand our fans club in Singapore also.
Xavier Mamu,
Cool down, Don't be frustrated. Chaddi brothers will never come to your support when you are in trouble. Relax. Dont forget the Church Attack.
Mr Ibrahim is right, Allah's command is final, no one can change
if you do also it will be fail....
ISLAM is peace religion, never said do not feed non muslims and anti social activities... Always says respect them and their priest
Islam says see the neighbor's hunger and feed them.
DO GOOD WORK FOR SOCIETY and MAKE FAIL TO ALL HATE MONGERS.
Who the hell all these muslim hate mongers tom dicky harry to shed crocodile tears when muslim women muslim community have no objection with the issue. I doubt the husbands of those sharing dias have single relationship. They might have one by legal. But God knows howmany have made back door exit entry . We all knew how the aids spread and who are responsible for it. Haati ke daant khaane ke aur dikhane ke aur. This is bitter truth. Let them look into the referendum in their own community instead tarnish the image of islam and muslim community. They have raise the issues like casteism, untouchability , abortion, devadasi system, alcohol, prostituion, dance bars, fast track hearings for murders and rapists.
Alhamdulillah muslims are proud to be muslim. Islam is the way of life evidencing people embaracing it across the world after practicing different religion majority among are women. Subahanallah. This shows how the hate mongers are hatching the conspiracy against the peace religion. Inspite the efforts Islam will stan firm . More they try malign larger will benefit islam. Tareeq gawah hai.
Dear Ms. Bhat,
In Islam polygamy only allowed to those person who has the capacity to look after with justice. Of course, women are not a use & throw item. Do not under estimate polygamy. It can solve lot of social problems. If you think that marry more than one is just for satisfaction purpose, then do you have any answer about Lord Krishna, who has married 16,000 women?
Look at the frustration ..muah...chummah gang completely in disarray ...hahaha...jashoda Ben fans Anthe .. This community took women as property and they were raping women under the strict rules...this is the main reason 60% prostitutes in kamati puram are from -----community. Ree faizhal Bhai elree idira ....burqa togondra. . I mean for protest rally ge.....rikacha nu seriskondu bidi ....swalpa straight and balukuva made irli ...yaake Andre burqa haaki kondirodu gandu antha gottagbaardu ...haha ...chennagi practice maadri ...
uncultured cong leader
Xavier Uncle. (Im sure he is not a Christian).
Jaun Zale. Dont comment just for the sake of Commenting.Rather Shut your Mouth.
Dear Aunties,
First tell Our Honerable Modi ji,To take care of his Own Wife our beloved sister Jashodaben. please tell him to give her the identity.So that she can spend rest of her life peacefully.
Abu Muhammad #6 CALM DOWN...
People are Ignorant of the REALiTY without making their research they come out and make bow bow by BLINDLY following their Evil Stupid thinking Leaders who also trap the IGNORANTS who want to live a life of UnAware of the consequences with the CREATOR...
Ms. Bhat, I advise you to marry first, change your status from single to marital, try to become a mother to someone and enhance your family tree. with regards to your queries or objection whatsoever, I strongly recommend you to read Chapter Talaq in holy Quran just once in your life time, do a qualitative study, then come to the public (I'm sure then you don't need to come) give your statement.
Sulochana Bhat, first look into your house - in your Brahmin community when husband dies, the widow is shaven, locked in the house and called MUNDE BIRANDI. Women in her period is kept out of the house like dirty dogs, you like your sister to be prostitutes than being a second wife enjoying all rights, freedom, respect and legal status. Your Lord Rama's father practiced polygamy, Pandavas practiced it, Your Lord Krishna had 16,108 wives officially wholesale polygamy ever recorded, Look into your various scriptures for further details and who practiced polygamy. Hindu kings had scores of official and un-official wives. For Polygamy and Divorce is the blessing from God Almighty. See the condition of your leader's wife - she has been suffering like hell in this world, neither divorced nor recognised as wife - Treated like worse than animal. This is the honour you and your Jumla party giving to the woman as your scripture says - NA STREE SWATANTRYA MARHATI.
Why public interested in personal or religious matter? Is anyone getting harm with these?
Dear sisters, very rarely you will find polygamy system followers in Islam. If they do it is their personal matter and better than prostitution. If any poor lady or someone getting respectful life what is wrong with it. Also remember, they should treat them equally so there is no questions about cheating or insulting.
The women in Pictures... and also those who want to increase their intellect...
Please watch this below video in YT
\Ahmed Deedats Amazing answers to 2 questions\""
Yes, polygamy is better than prostitution. Those who do not know the meaning of verses from Quran try to learn the meaning in your mother tongue then only you will be convinced what is and why polygamy.
dear hindu sisters the moment you know about the rights islam has given to women you will no longer remain to be non muslim, A true muslim, and most majority of muslim men dont treat women as objects it is the non islam religions which are treating women as sex objects, i think for these above ladies prostitution is justified if their husbands do , what a shame and they forget that prostitution with whom they are doing is a daughter, or wife or mother of someone., is it ok for them if someone do the same with their daughter or wife or mother.
ISLAM IS THE RELIGION WHICH IS THE TRUE AND THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE. AND ACCEPTED BY THE CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND THE CHERISHER OF THE UNIVERSE ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY.
BJP is concerned about woman....why they are not concerned about Modi's wife....she has been longing for joining him....why women's right group helping her....and not talking about it.......scared....hypocrites...
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