Hagia Sophia
Grand Mosque
By Emin Ozmen
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All photos / Emin Ozmen / Magnum Photos
EDITOR’S NOTE: Controversially, Hagia Sophia is now a functional mosque once again after 86 years. The change in status was condemned by the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Director General of UNESCO said that she "deeply regrets the decision of the Turkish authorities".
Erdoğan’s decision to redesignate the building as a mosque raises important questions about who owns collective cultural heritage sites.
On July 10th, a top Turkish court struck down the 1934 cabinet decree that turned Istanbul's Hagia Sophia into a museum. Later that day, Turkish president Erdogan signed a decree allowing the landmark to be used as a mosque.
Built 1,500 years ago as a Christian cathedral, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. 86 years ago, under the Turkish Republic, it became a museum and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Emin Ozmen visited the site on the day of the announcement and then returned to photograph worshipers during the first day of the change.
A news broadcast outside of the Hagia Sophia museum after the announcement of its conversion to a mosque by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Inside the mosque
Both Turkish and foreign tourists visit the iconic Hagia Sophia a few hours before the announcement. The monument will now be a mosque.
People gathered outside of the Hagia Sophia to celebrate after the announcement. Some supporters expressed their joy by shouting "Allahu Akbar".
People gather near the Hagia Sophia for the first Muslim prayer since reverting to a mosque after 86 years as a museum.
A man who fainted due to the heat near Hagia Sophia during the first Muslim prayers in over 80 years.
