A march event for the 5th anniversary of the Hagia Sophia Mosque by the AK Party Headquarters Youth Branch

Members gathered in Beyazıt Square for the program organized by the AK Party Headquarters Youth Branch with the slogan "The Conquest Generation is Walking to Hagia Sophia."

After the evening prayer, the group marched to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, chanting slogans with banners and torches in their hands.

AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Abdullah Özdemir, speaking to reporters in front of the mosque after the march, said they were together on a very special day.

Özdemir, stating that they concluded the march that began in Beyazıt at Hagia Sophia, said, "Thank God, we are here today, together, in a program where we have come together and formed a beautiful community upon a beautiful milestone and development for our country. On July 10, 2020, we all witnessed the closing of a sorrowful 86-year period. We have now completed the fifth anniversary of the reopening of our Hagia Sophia Mosque to worship after it became a museum. On behalf of both the people of Istanbul and all our brothers and sisters in our country, we express our gratitude to our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who signed this blessed act."

Özdemir emphasized that Hagia Sophia is the symbol of conquest and continued:

After Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul in 1453, Hagia Sophia was opened for worship as a mosque. That day, all the people of Istanbul continued their worship according to their own beliefs. Our Muslim brothers and sisters began their worship here. After the interruption of this place of worship, thank God, the chains of Hagia Sophia were broken, and its reopening for worship under the leadership of our President has brought the greatest happiness to all our believing brothers and sisters in our country.

AK Party Youth Branch President Yusuf İbiş (DHA)

"WE ARE HERE TO REMEMBER A HISTORY WITH GLORY AND HONOR"

AK Party Youth Branch President Yusuf İbiş also stated that they were here to commemorate a historic event with glory and honor.

İbiş, noting that they had gathered for the anniversary of a step written in golden letters in history, said, "July 10, 2020. Today is the anniversary of a day washed with tears by those who did not lower the banner of our ancestors, by those who stood guard at the gates of Hagia Sophia, by the millions who prayed, 'Let Hagia Sophia be opened.' It is the anniversary of the breaking of the chains of our Hagia Sophia Mosque, which we have longed for for 86 years, with the signature of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. If the minarets, silenced for 86 years, are now echoing with the call to prayer, it is a sign of this strong will. If Hagia Sophia, which has waited in sorrow for 86 years, is honored today with the prostration of the ummah, it is as a result of our President's historic step."

İbiş emphasized that the opening of Hagia Sophia is not just the breaking of the chains on the stone walls, but the re-emergence of the truth that has been silenced for years and the consciousness that has been tried to be erased from history.

Stating that they are members of a youth who protect history, İbiş said:

Today, we declare once again: Hagia Sophia is the mirror of our civilization, Hagia Sophia is the greatest symbol of our nation's determination that will endure until the end of time. We are the youth who have sworn to protect this glorious heritage. Today, here, we once again make a mark in history, salute our ancestors, and call out to the future. Hagia Sophia is ours and will remain ours. As young people, we once again thank our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the architect of this strong will, vision, and success, who has bequeathed us such a great legacy.

Following the statements, the participants performed the night prayer at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.

Fatih Mayor Mehmet Ergün Turan, AK Party Istanbul Youth Branch President Nevzat Yüce and many party members attended the event.