Turkey's Hagia Sophia Mosque draws thousands for Eid prayers

Istanbul's Byzantine-era cathedral was converted back into a mosque two years ago

Worshippers offer prayers during the first day of Eid Al Fitr outside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. AP

People offer Eid greetings after prayers at the mosque. Getty

Worshippers at Hagia Sophia. Getty Images

Worshippers at Hagia Sophia. Getty Images

Worshippers at Hagia Sophia. Getty Images

A worshipper prays outside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Getty

People pose for a group photograph after taking part in the Eid prayer outside the mosque. Getty

Worshippers hug after offering Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia. Getty

A child is held aloft amid Eid celebrations outside the mosque. Getty

Visitors pose for a photo outside the famous place of worship. AP

Women wait to take part in prayers at the mosque. Getty

Worshippers leave Hagia Sophia after prayers for Eid. AP

The first day of Eid Al Fitr outside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. AP

Thousands of worshippers flocked to Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul on Monday to join in prayers on the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Worshippers filled the 6th-century building in Turkey's largest city and the square outside for dawn prayers and then waited for Eid prayers.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan converted the Hagia Sophia — the city’s Byzantine-era cathedral that was turned into a mosque before becoming a museum — back into an Islamic house of worship nearly two years ago.

An easing of Covid-19 restrictions has allowed worshippers to pray in mosques for Ramadan and Eid for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020. But the joy of communal worship and celebration has been tempered by a surge in global food prices driven by the war in Ukraine.

First taraweeh prayers at Turkey's Hagia Sophia for 88 years — in pictures

Worshippers at taraweeh prayers inside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, on the eve of Ramadan. Getty Images

It is the first time that the prayers have been performed at the mosque for 88 years. AFP

The mosque was built as a Christian cathedral between 532 and 537 AD under Emperor Justinian I and is considered to be the most important Byzantine structure. Getty Images

It was converted into a mosque by Mehmed II after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453. Getty Images

In 1931, it was closed to the public for four years and was reopened in 1935 as a museum. Getty Images

It was added to the list of Unesco world heritage sites in 1985. AP Photo

In June 2020, the Hagia Sophia was converted back into a mosque. Getty Images

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the prayers taking place there until now. AP Photo

Prayers will take place at Hagia Sophia on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during Ramadan. Getty Images

Hagia Sophia is one of Turkey's most popular tourist attractions. Getty Images

Worshippers perform taraweeh prayers outside the mosque. Getty Images

A Ramadan banner hangs from the mosque's minarets. The Turkish inscription reads: 'There are no other gods, only Allah'. Getty Images