×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
17
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 12°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Politics

Chief Muslim cleric in Turkey calls for prayer in the Hagia Sophia to appease the “evil” after Covid-19 measures are lifted

Turkish traditions says Mehmet the Conquerer cursed anyone who reverted it from a mosque

Newsroom May 4 12:58

The leader of the Muslim clerics association in Turkey has called on the country’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to allow for Islamic prayer to be held in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul following the lifting of the restrictive measures of the coronavirus.

According to Turkish media reports, Hasan Turut said that day after the lifting of the restrictions in Turkey on Friday should begin with a prayer in the Hagia Sophia, as Mehmet the Conqueror did on the first Friday after the fall of the city in May 29, 1453.

also read 

Turkish Imam recites verses of conquest in Hagia Sophia in provocative move (video)

>Related articles

Chaos in the Turkish parliament: Erdogan’s MPs exchanged punches with opposition MPs, see video

Hagia Sophia: At the mercy of…crony contractors, the adventures of the monument of Orthodoxy in Erdogan’s hands

Greeks danced hasapiko in front of Hagia Sophia – “Scandalous provocation,” say Turkish media; watch video

The brave Greek priest who held a Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia in 1919

The chief cleric called for a prayer to Allah in the Hagia Sophia to appease evil, saying there was a “curse” by Mehmet the Conqueror for anyone who tried to change the Hagia Sophia. “When Mehmet the Conqueror conquered Constantinople in 1453, the first Friday after the fall he prayed in Hagia Sophia, turning it into a mosque after 916 years. Mehmet the Conqueror, according to some Ottoman writings, is believed to have said:

“Those who try to turn my mosque into something different will have the curse of Allah, the angels and all Muslims! May they be in a constant and endless struggle! Maybe no one look them in the face or ask Allah to forgive them! “

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#call to prayer#coronavirus#erdogan#Hagia Sophia#Muslim cleric
> More Politics

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

One dead after train–bus collision at the Port of Hamburg – see photos

January 16, 2026

President of Air Traffic Controllers: Another communications blackout possible in the near future

January 16, 2026

Trump threatens tariffs against those who oppose U.S. plans for Greenland

January 16, 2026

X is down, thousands report problems

January 16, 2026

“Her father cut her hair because she asked to go to a hair salon, they never gave her money”: New testimonies about Laura

January 16, 2026

Rama persists after rant at Greek journalist and questions the link between “Greek speakers” and Plato and Aristotle

January 16, 2026

CIA chief in Venezuela meets with Rodriguez

January 16, 2026

Less alcohol and lower speeds with the new Highway Code and strict fines

January 16, 2026
All News

> Economy

Greek firms secure key roles in Libya’s reconstruction

21 Memoranda of Understanding in Benghazi with the Reconstruction Fund - Metlen, TERNA, ADMIE, Archirodon, THEON, TTSA, SALFO, HILLCON and the Greek business footprint in energy, networks, infrastructure, health, pharmaceuticals, food, education and digital projects

January 16, 2026

Latsis Group: This is the new project of Aura Residential’s 219 apartments in Elliniko

January 16, 2026

Industry: Energy deadlock after Commission’s “no” to Italian pricing model

January 16, 2026

ENFIA discounts explained: How home insurance unlocks up to 20% off – 21 answers from AADE

January 16, 2026

Tourism: Greece, Athens, and Attica lead with over 4.75 billion euros in revenue by 2019—Doubling previous figures

January 15, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα