Turkey illuminated Hagia Sophia – a former Byzantine church that was turned into a mosque – with a “There is no God but Allah” banner, known as a mahya, on Saturday evening to mark Laylat al-Qadr.
Mahyas, featuring religious verses or advice for good deeds, are a centuries-old Ramadan tradition from Ottoman times.
“There’s No God But Allah” (La ilahe illallah) lights stretched across the minarets of the mosque, which was lit by Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya.
It will remain lit until the end of Ramadan.
The historic Hagia Sophia was converted back into a mosque last July and reopened for prayer after an 86-year hiatus.
Earlier this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called his controversial decision the crown of 2020.
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is illuminated with lights to mark Laylat al-Qadr, first time in 87 years pic.twitter.com/EIJaBPGScX
— TRT World (@trtworld) May 8, 2021
Hagia Sophia – Then, Now, Always
