The Grand National Assembly of Turkey erupted with enthusiasm and excitement, when Deputy Chairperson of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Celal Adan, announced Hagia Sophia will be converted into a mosque.
The Turkish deputies present rose from their seats, and applauded for a long time after hearing the decision.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed the decree on Friday afternoon, allowing the operation of Hagia Sophia as a “functioning mosque”, according to which the country’s General Directorate of Religious Affairs would take control of the building.
This is the relevant decree signed by the Turkish President, which was also published in the Turkish government gazette.
Erdoğan also announced that Hagia Sophia mosque will be open for prayer on July 24.
“Hagia Sophia will start functioning as a mosque after 86 years. I hope this decision will benefit all of humanity. “The doors of Hagia Sophia will be open to everyone,” he said.
“Open to all, Muslims and non-Muslims,” he added.