24.07.2020 İstanbul
The first Friday prayer was held at Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi 86 years later with the participation of thousands of citizens who filled the interior and surrounding area of the mosque.
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu who attended the prayer, said, "Thank God we witnessed the end of 86 years of longing. Praise be to The Truth, who lived today."
After the opening program Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, sala prayer read. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan read the Quran inside the mosque. Prof. Dr. Ali Erbas, Head of Religious Affairs, also prayed at the end of the program.
