Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the Hagia Sophia on Thursday as the Istanbul landmark prepared for the first Muslim prayers following its conversion back into a mosque after 86 years as a museum.
Joined by a large entourage, the Turkish leader paid a surprise visit to inspect final preparations at the structure, including the unveiling of a sign at the entrance that reads: “The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.”
Erdogan is scheduled to return on Friday and join hundreds of worshipers for prayers inside the former Byzantine cathedral.
A decree was issued by the resident earlier this month to restore the iconic 6th century building as a mosque after a Turkish high court ruled that the Hagia Sophia had been illegally made into a museum more than eight decades ago.
The move was met with dismay in Greece and the United States and from Christian church leaders. Authorities have designated segregated areas outside of the Hagia Sophia for men and women wanting to join Friday’s inaugural prayers.
Several roads leading to the building are being blocked. Authorities have said as many as 17,000 security personnel would be on duty.
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