Mosque

Muslims observe Eid-al Fitr at the Yeni Mosque in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Wednesday - the first time that the early 20th century monument has been opened for prayers in more than a century. The Yeni Mosque was converted into a museum in 1925 following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

The Stars of David adorning the balconies along the top of the building catch the first glimmers of the dawn light as worshipers pass through the gates of the historic Yeni Cami, or New Mosque, for morning prayers.

Muslims around the globe are celebrating Eid al-Fitr holiday this Wednesday, April 10, marking the conclusion of Ramadan, the islamic sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

More than 100 Muslims gathered to observe prayers commemorating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the conclusion of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the Yeni Mosque in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on Wednesday.

The prayers, unprecedented in 102 years, took place amidst heightened police security.

In view of the preparations for Ramadan, the Yeni Mosque, an Ottoman monument in Thessaloniki which hosts various cultural activities, will for the first time be granted to Muslims for prayers during Eid al-Fitr on April 10. The Suleymaniye Mosque on Rhodes will also be given for Eid prayers. 

The decision was announced on Wednesday by the General Secretariat of Religious Affairs.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on March 11, as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting in which Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything.

Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. Family and friends will gather for joyful nightly feasts for the next 30 days.

As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches, mosques across Istanbul are gearing up for the spiritual occasion by adorning their minarets with illuminated messages known as mahyas, a tradition dating back centuries.

Within the scope of ongoing restoration in Istanbul's landmark Hagia Sophia, a renovation efforts have been launched for a crucial minaret in the structure due to recent discovery of deep cracks.

Steel scaffolding has been installed on the minaret named after Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II in the section of Istanbul's historic mosque overlooking the Topkapı Palace.

A new cat has sauntered into the Hagia Sophia mosque's newly opened visiting floor, capturing the hearts of local and foreign tourists in Istanbul and evoking the fond memory of Gli, the beloved feline who passed away in 2020.

Turkish authorities are reportedly moving ahead with the conversion of another Byzantine Greek Orthodox church into a mosque. The Chora Church in Istanbul will be open to Muslim worshippers for Friday prayers on February 23, according to a report in the Yeni Safak newspaper.