The Islamic world sent congratulations to the President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş in order to express their satisfaction about the decision of re-opening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship.

That the Hagia Sophia Mosque has rejoined with the believers after 86 years has been welcomed with great happiness as it has been in our country.

The religious leaders from the Islamic world, who sent letter of congratulation including their happiness for the decision to the President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, also expressed their thanks to the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Board Allahshukur Pashazade the President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş by phone, expressed their satisfaction for the decision of re-opening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship, and conveyed his congratulations on this happy event.

The President of the Australian Federation of the Islamic Councils Dr. Rateb Jneid expressed their support for the decision in his congratulatory letter by stating that they congratulate President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for decision of re-opening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship.

The deputy chairman Hafiz Shakir Efendi Fatahu, who sent a letter on behalf of the Islamic Religious Union of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, expressed their satisfaction for the decision and said, “That the Hagia Sophia has been converted to its essential status as a mosque and that its administration has been transferred to the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs made both Macedonian Muslims and all the Muslims in the world, including primarily the citizens of the Republic of Turkey, very happy. I would like to express that the Republic of Turkey under leadership of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been a rising star and an indispensable source of hope in the Muslim world and in the eyes of the oppressed ones.”

The Council of Lithuanian Muslims Religious Communities

Mufti of Lithuania Aleksandras Beganskas who sent a letter of congratulation on behalf of the Council of Lithuanian Muslims Religious Communities, reminded the importance of the Hagia Sophia Mosque for the Islamic world and the fact that it is a place of worship which was endowed to the entire Islamic world by Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han and used the following expressions,

“The fact that this blessed place of worship has been chained since 1934 was a problem of all Muslims. Re-liberation of the Hagia Sophia Mosque and being turned into a place of worship which is going to give service for all Muslims in the world with the help of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan enjoyed our brothers and sisters who carry the Islamic belief in their hearts. The transfer of the administration of this blessed mosque to the Presidency of Religious Affairs also created a sense of trust and great happiness. We believe that this blessed mosque, which is the symbol of tawhid, is going to embrace the entire humanity regardless of religion, language, race, and sect under the responsibility of the Presidency of Religious Affair. With this occasion, I would like to congratulate you and all Muslims in the world and wish that may the Almighty Allah make this decision be favorable for the entire humanity.”

The Association of Palestinian Scholars Abroad

The Association of Palestinian Scholars Abroad expressed their satisfaction for re-opening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship with the following words,

“We welcomed the decision of re-opening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship with great happiness and gratitude. With this historical and valuable decision taken, we are being a part of the happiness of the Islamic world and sharing it. The Esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan being in the first place, we would like to express our congratulations to Turkish nation. We appreciate the state and nation agreement which is present in this decision. This decision has been a rightful one. The sacred place, Hagia Sophia, has gained its value which was well deserved by it. It material and immaterial construction has been carried out again. We regard this decision as a great victory of sovereignty against the western domination which set fire to our nation and people. Moreover, the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's explanation of ‘The re-opening of the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship is a sign of the salvation of the al-Masjid al-Aqsa mosque which is in captivity,’ in his historical speech is well-appreciated by us. May the Almighty Allah protect the state of Turkey and the Islamic world from all kinds of evil, mischief, and catastrophe.”

The Association of Moroccan Scholars

In their letter, members of the Association of Moroccan Scholars congratulated the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who made the decision for the Hagia Sophia, firstly and then all courts, Turkish nation, and Islamic world for the decision of re-opening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship and used the following expressions, “We believe that the decision announced on Friday is a great and historical one and we share the happiness of the Islam ummah.”

Sultanate of Oman

The Chief Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman Ahmad Hamadi al-Khalili expressed his satisfaction with the following expressions,

“Along with the Islamic world, we would like to congratulate our noble Turkish brothers and sisters, their experienced and open-minded leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan being in the first place, who ensured that the Hagia Sophia became a mosque again, that the name of Allah is going to be uttered there day and night, and adhans are going to be recited there. The Hagia Sophia Mosque was a mosque from the reign of the Victorious Fatih Sultan Mehmet to the reign of the last sultan of the Ottoman dynasty and the religion of Islam used to be taught there.”

South Africa

The rector of the Dar al-Ulum of the International Islamic University, which is located at Lenasia city of South Africa, Zakariyya Shubayr Ahmad Al-Saloci expressed his thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and emphasized the fact that Turkey made a decision which is highly valuable and precious one in the Islamic history by approving this Council of State in Turkey.

Palestinian Ministry of Foundations and Religious Affairs

Palestinian Dr. Abdulhadi Sait al-Agha from the Palestinian Ministry of Foundations and Religious Affairs also included the following sentences in his letter,

“I would like to congratulate you and the Turkish nation, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan being in the first place, for re-opening of the historical Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship. This decision made has eased the longing and pain which had been felt by the Islam ummah since the year 1934. May this decision be a favorable one for the Turkish nation and Islamic world.”