Turkey turned on Christmas Eve the Church of Hagia Sophia in Ainu (Enez), in Adrianoupoli (Edirne) into a Mosque (Mosque-i Sharif) after the completion of its restoration by the General Directorate of Institutions.

The church of Agia Sophia of Ainos (Enez) is a Byzantine building of the 12th century and it was changed into the Mosque of Conquest in 1456 by Mehmed the Conqueror and now opens again with the same name.

“After last year’s inauguration of the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul (sic), we are meeting here again today, for the inauguration of the Hagia Sophia mosque in Ainu-Edirne”, said Turkish President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbas.

The historic Christian church was not used due to damages from an earthquake. It was restored 56 years later and opened for the (Muslim) Friday prayer by Ali Erbas.

According to echedoros-a.gr during his speech, Erbas stated that Islamic culture is a culture that focuses on the mosque: 

“A few months ago, we visited the Balkan countries. Where our eyes see a minaret, our hearts begin to flutter. Wherever we see a mosque or minaret, we are happy. We are now reopening the Hagia Sophia mosque in Edirne for worship. May Almighty Allah bless it. What a beautiful unity and solidarity we have that we are all here as institutions”. 

After Erbas’ prayer, at the end of his speech, the ribbon was cut and the opening took place.

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