Greek MFA: Turkey offends the international community with Islamic prayers in Hagia Sophia
by Paul Antonopoulos
May 30, 2020
With the popularity of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan diminishing due to the declining economic situation and Turkey’s failed invasions of Syria and Libya that resulted in hundreds of dead Turkish soldiers, he is now attempting to shift the public’s focus from domestic issues towards appeasement of the country’s radical Islamists.
On Thursday it was announced that Islamic prayers and recitals will be held at Hagia Sophia on Friday to commemorate the Fall of Constantinople as part of celebrations organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as reported by Greek City Times.
Erdoğan held true to his promise on Friday and Islamic prayers were conducted in Hagia Sophia to commemorate the day in 1453 when 30,000 Christians were enslaved, tens of thousands of civilians slaughtered and thousands of women raped.
Read more at https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/05/30/greek-mfa-turkey-offends-the-international-community-with-islamic-prayers-in-hagia-sophia/
Turkey: Conquest Feast organized at Hagia Sophia
Erdogan says if Istanbul was somehow removed from Earth, world history would have to be rewritten
Kaan Bozdogan, Mehmet Ali Derdiyok, Semra Orkan
30.05.2020
The conquest of Istanbul was celebrated Friday, 567 years after Fatih Sultan Mehmet gained victory in Istanbul, with a special program in Hagia Sophia.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism organized “Conquest Feast in Hagia Sophia” in coordination with Turkish Presidency Directorate of Communications as part of celebrations throughout the day.
The program began with images taken by a drone of routes Fatih Sultan Mehmet navigated and arrived at Hagia Sophia by carrying ships on land while conquering Istanbul.
The program was followed with the recitation of the 48th chapter of the Quran, surah Al-Fath, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan viewing via video.
Erdogan expressed gratitude to all those who did not abandon Hagia Sophia, the heirloom of the conquest
Read more at https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-conquest-feast-organized-at-hagia-sophia/1858463
