Hagia Sophia
Underground cisterns of Istanbul displayed for 1st time
Within the scope of a research project that lasted three years, a Turkish historian toured the historical peninsula of Istanbul and explored underwater cisterns, aqueducts, wells and fountains.
"We scanned the mysterious remains under the Topkapı Palace, the Hagia Sophia and the Hagia Irene as we toured around the places with a boat," Arzu Ulaş told Demirören News Agency on June 12.
İYİ Party leader chides imam of Hagia Sophia
İYİ (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener criticized the controversial remarks on Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, by an imam in Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.
"He curses the founder of our republic. May Allah corrects those who do this and those who condone it," she said, addressing the İYİ Party parliamentary group meeting on June 2.
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CHP leader renews call for snap elections
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu renewed his call for snap elections in Turkey and accused President Recep Tayyip of running away from the idea of early polls.
Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting on June 1, Kılıçdaroğlu criticized Erdoğan for "running away" from his call for snap elections.
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MHP leader rebukes imam of Hagia Sophia
Intolerance toward Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is intolerance toward the Republic of Turkey, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said on June 1, criticizing the remarks by the imam of Hagia Sophia.
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Turkey marks 568th anniversary of Istanbul's conquest
The Turkish president on May 29 shared a message celebrating the 568th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: "I congratulate the 568th anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul, one of the most glorious victories of our history," on Twitter.
Erdoğan inaugurates mosque in Taksim Square
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated a new mosque in Istanbul's Taksim Square on May 28, saying this has been a decades-old goal.
"Taksim Mosque was brought in our Istanbul after a 1.5-century-long struggle," he said, addressing the crowds gathered for the ceremony after the Friday prayers.
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Turkey marks Eid under nationwide lockdown
Turkey celebrated the first day of Eid al-Fitr, a three-day Muslim festival celebrated after the fasting month of Ramadan, under the shadow of strict measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 disease for the second year in a row.
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Restoration of Hagia Sophia sets example for world, says official
The restoration works being carried out using the most advanced techniques in Istanbul's landmark Hagia Sophia have set a clear example for the world to see a work of exceptional precision, keeping the cultural heritage of different beliefs and civilizations intact, the provincial director of culture and tourism has said.
Hagia Sophia imam resigns
The imam at Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia mosque announced on April 8 he is stepping down from his duties to return to academic studies.
Mehmet Boynukalın, whose assignment at the nearly 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia was temporary, asked to leave the post, and his request was accepted.
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Erdogan Takes Aim at Istanbul’s Symbolic Gezi Park Again
Gezi Park is one of over 1,000 properties that the Directorate General of Foundations has taken over within the last few years, but undoubtedly the most symbolic one for Erdogan alongside Istanbul's landmark Hagia Sophia.