The ex-Basilica of Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque, will remain open to visitors outside of Muslim prayer times, during which Christian icons should be hidden, the Religious Affairs Authority in Turkey announced on Tuesday.
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The Council of State, the highest administrative court in Turkey, acceded to the request of several associations Friday by revoking a government decision dating from 1934 granting Hagia Sophia the status of museum. As soon as this decision was made public, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. The first Muslim collective prayers will be held there on July 24.
In a statement released Tuesday, Diyanet, the Turkish Religious Affairs Authority, said that Christian performances in the former Byzantine basilica " do not constitute an obstacle to the holding of prayers ".
" The (Christian) icons should be hidden by curtains and other suitable means, " added Diyanet. Turkish media has reported on the possible use of lighting techniques to darken icons during the five daily Muslim prayers. " There is no obstacle from a religious point of view for the opening of Hagia Sophia to visitors outside prayer times, " continued Diyanet.