The Dhaka Times Desk Turkey's Hagia Sophia, which has been converted from a museum to a mosque, has become a tourist hotspot even amid the coronavirus pandemic. It may not seem like there is such a thing as a corona virus.
At least 1.5 lakh visitors have visited the mosque since the museum was converted into a mosque. Hagia Sophia was opened on July 24 after 86 years.
Turkey is one of the top five countries of choice for Muslim tourists in the world. The other four countries are Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited places in Turkey for domestic and foreign tourists. In 1985, the building was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a museum. This historic building in Istanbul was used as a church for 916 years. Starting from 1453 to 1935, this Hagia Sophia was known as a mosque for almost five hundred years. It was then known as a museum for 86 years.
On July 10 of this year, the Turkish court decided to reopen Hagia Sophia as a mosque after canceling the 1934 order of the then Council of Ministers to convert it into a museum, and on July 24, after 86 years, the mosque opened for the first time in Hagia Sophia after 86 years of Friday prayers.
Currently regular prayers are going on in Aya Sophia. However, the establishment is also open to non-Muslims and foreign tourists. During prayers, the structures and monuments of other religions are covered with cloth. Visitors can also visit Hagia Sophia by following certain rules.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been entrusted with the renovation and preservation of Hagia Sophia since its conversion into a mosque. The country's Directorate of Religious Affairs oversees aspects of religious services. After being converted into a mosque, this historic structure is open for free visits. Previously, you had to buy a ticket to see Aya Sophia.
That's why Hagia Sophia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. Evidence of this has been found again. At least 1.5 million visitors have visited the mosque since its conversion into a mosque in the last week of July till September!
Istanbul's Mufti Mahmud Amin told Turkey's state news agency Anadolu Agency that around 15,000 visitors visit Hagia Sophia on weekdays and 25,000 to 30,000 on weekends. He said that thousands of Turkish and foreign citizens are coming to see Hagia Sophia every day despite the Corona epidemic.
Things to do to prevent Corona virus
# stay at home all the time.
# Follow the rules and use mask when going out for emergency.
# three-layer surgical mask can be washed if desired.
# wash clothes after coming home from outside. Or hang it without shaking for at least four hours.
# Wash hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap or liquid before coming outside.
# plastic PPE or eyes, mouth, head after single use
Of course it can be washed thoroughly with detergent and dried.
# Wear PPE made of cloth or clean as described.
# Use a head cap that completely covers the hair.
# Those who have sneeze cough should follow all the rules promulgated by the government. Also, wash hands as directed before and after handling food items, keys, switches, mice, remote controls, mobiles, watches, computer desks, TVs, etc. and after using the bathroom. Those who have dry hands use Moisture after washing their hands. Soap or hand liquid can be used. Why can this virus remain in the crackle (cracked part) of dry hands? Avoid using highly alkaline soaps or detergents.
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