Turkey on May 29 celebrated the 567th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul with a prayer at the Hagia Sophia mosque.
The Conquest Sura, a section of the Quran, was recited at the contested building as part of a program held by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined the Quran recital via videoconference and addressed the nation in a speech.
“I wish from God for this nation to be endowed with more conquests, triumphs and successes. I present my gratitude to all who have not left Hagia Sophia alone on this meaningful day. It is very important for the 567th anniversary of the conquest [of Istanbul] to be marked with a recital of the Conquest Sura and prayers at Hagia Sophia, which has been entrusted to us by Fatih [Sultan Mehmed],” he said.