BREAKING — Erdogan says the Hagia Sophia will be open as a mosque in July 24 with Friday prayers

• Entrace fee will be lifted
• Will be open for foreign and local tourists

Erdogan says instead of discussing the Hagia Sophia, the world should look into rising anti-Islamic and Xenophobic sentiments

• There would be 6-month work to complete conversion
• Will be in a good state for both Muslims and non-Muslims

Erdogan says the same logic would apply for both turning the Vatican into a museum and insisting to keep the Hagia Sophia as a museum

Erdogan read a lot of poetry on Istanbul and Mehmed II, recited the Sultan’s curse against those who would attempt to change the form of the building other than a mosque.

He deliberately didn’t mention Ataturk who made the decision to change its form

Erdoğan has ended his speech by saying that “revival of the Hagia Sophia as a mosque is ushering the news for the liberation of Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.”

“This decision is the footsteps of the willpower that will take Muslims out of interregnum”