Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu stated that the decision to remove Hagia Sophia from being a museum and reopen it to worship as a mosque is a decision that will go down in history and said, “In order to immortalize this historical moment, we will put into circulation our stamps on ‘Opening of Hagia Sophia Mosque to Worship’ and the ‘first day’ envelope.”
In his written statement, Karaismailoğlu stated that an important turning point that will leave a mark on history was witnessed, where 86 years of longing resulted in vuslat.
Underlining that the decision to remove Hagia Sophia from being a museum and reopen it to worship as a mosque is an important decision that will go down in history, Karaismailoğlu said, “With the decisive stance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has carried Turkey to the top of the world league with his leadership and will, we are restoring Hagia Sophia to its longed-for identity. As in the first Friday prayer in 1453, we will open our hands to the sky and our hearts to prayer on July 24. In order to immortalize this historical moment, we will put into circulation our stamps themed ‘Opening of Hagia Sophia Mosque for Worship’ and the ‘first day’ envelope.”
“An indicator of Turkey’s power”
Karaismailoğlu emphasized that the conversion of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque and opening it to worship is an indication of Turkey’s power in the international arena and said, “In line with our commitment to our history, our belief in our nation and our respect for the trust of our ancestors, we have never compromised our red lines, especially Hagia Sophia, and we will never compromise from now on.”
Expressing their happiness that Hagia Sophia has become suitable for its foundation again, Karaismailoğlu noted that they are proud to see that the citizens also welcomed the situation with extraordinary joy.
Underlining that they are witnessing an important turning point that will leave a mark on history, Karaismailoğlu said, “The world will witness how we protect and protect this heritage that we inherited from our ancestors and carry it to the future.”
2 different stamps issued
Karaismailoğlu stated that after Mehmet the Conqueror conquered Istanbul on May 29, 1453, Fatih Sultan Mehmet performed the Friday prayer at Hagia Sophia on June 1, 1453 and announced that Hagia Sophia would serve as a mosque under Ottoman rule:
“Just like that day, on July 24, 2020, we will open our hands to the sky and our hearts to prayer. In order to immortalize this historical moment, we will put into circulation our stamps with the theme ‘Opening of Hagia Sophia Mosque for Worship’ and the first day envelope. In this context, 2 kinds of stamps prepared by PTT were printed in 100 thousand pieces each and the first day envelope was printed in 2 thousand 500 pieces. The first stamp depicts the Hagia Sophia with the silhouette of Istanbul as it was opened for worship as a mosque in the Ottoman lands with the conquest of Istanbul. The other stamp contains flying birds and figures representing freedom to give the message that the Hagia Sophia Mosque has regained its freedom.”
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ayasofya-camii/pttden-ayasofya-camiinin-ibadete-acilisi-konulu-ozel-pul-/1918619
