Pervaiz Elahi commends Erdogan for restoring Hagia Sophia’s mosque status

Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, while paying glowing tributes to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for restoring the 15th-century historical mosque Hagia Sophia, said that it was a bold decision of the Turkish President that has reminded the era of the Ottoman Caliphate.

“Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision has revived the memory of the Ottoman Caliphate,” Pervaiz Elahi said while praising the decision.

Pervaiz Elahi said Muslim countries are overjoyed not only Turkish people, with the decision to convert the museum into a mosque. “It is the cultural heritage of all the Muslims in the world,” he added.

It is pertinent to note that Turkish President Erdogan announced Friday that the Hagia Sophia, one of the architectural wonders of the world, would be reopened for Muslim worship. First Azan was announced immediately after the Turkish decree was issued in favour of the mosque status.

His declaration came after a top Turkish court revoked the sixth-century Byzantine monument's status as a museum, clearing the way for it to be turned back into a mosque. The Turkish President made it clear that the historical site will remain open for the non-Muslims too.

After completing all preparations, Turkey is all set to open Hagia Sophia for worship on July 24 at Friday prayers.

The UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul, a magnet for tourists from all over the world, was first constructed as a cathedral in the Christian Byzantine Empire but was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

Today Hagia Sophia is Turkey's most popular tourist site, attracting more than 3.7 million visitors a year.

#HagiaSophia has remained a top trend on social networking website twitter after Friday’s decision.

One user tweeted, “Cordoba Mosque served Islam for 450 years. No one questioned how the Muslim world would feel when it was converted into a cathedral. Thanks to President Erdogan for bringing back the tradition of Muslims. Go ahead brother we support U & your Country from Bangladesh.”

Cordoba Mosque served Islam for 450 years. No one questioned how the Muslim world would feel when it was converted into a cathedral.

Thanks to President Erdogan for bringing back the tradition of Muslims.
Go ahead brother we support U & your Country from Bangladesh#HagiaSophia pic.twitter.com/ygQ7AuJU8F

— Gulam Rabbani Nuhash (@GRNuhash) July 11, 2020