ISTANBUL / AA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his great pleasure at what he considered an honor for restoring Hagia Sophia as a mosque to the Islamic world.

Hagia Sophia had been converted into a museum in 1934 before Turkey reopened it as a mosque in July 2020.

This came in a statement to journalists after performing Friday prayers at Imam Ali Mosque in the Uskudar district of Istanbul.

Responding to a question about the sixth anniversary of the reopening of Hagia Sophia Mosque, Erdogan said: 'God honored us by reopening the Grand Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship, and we are very happy about that.'

Erdogan added: 'We did not just open it, but we had the honor of returning it to the Islamic world.'

President Erdogan pointed out that restoration and renovation work continues at the mosque.

He continued: 'Hagia Sophia opened its doors to the Islamic world and all humanity, and this pleases everyone, Muslims and Christians, and we feel great pride.'

He noted that this structure is very different in terms of its architectural features and status in the world, and it is a very distinctive religious landmark.

On July 10, 2020, the Turkish Council of State annulled the cabinet decision of November 24, 1934, converting Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum, and it was reopened for worship on July 24, 2020, with a decree signed by President Erdogan in a step considered one of the most prominent milestones in modern Turkish history.

- NATO Summit in Ankara

When asked about the echoes of the NATO summit in Ankara, President Erdogan said: 'Frankly, the reactions were very positive; we received continuous thank-you notes and phone calls, especially regarding hospitality and honor.'

He added that all leaders, including US President Donald Trump, 'shared our happiness in a very special way, both during dinner and after.'

He continued: 'Whether the Istanbul summit 20 years ago or the recent Ankara summit, both were a source of enrichment and special happiness for us. I feel it is my duty to thank all our guests after the summit.'

Ankara hosted the 36th NATO summit on July 7-8, amid accelerating security and geopolitical shifts in Europe and the Middle East. This is the second time Turkey has hosted the summit, 22 years after the Istanbul summit in 2004.

- Congratulations to Spain on the World Cup

Regarding his phone call with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to congratulate him on Spain's victory in the 2026 World Cup, and his comment on celebrations of this win in Gaza, Erdogan said it is natural for Sanchez to feel happy as the head of government of a country that became world champion.

President Erdogan expressed his hope that the Turkish national football team would win titles similar to the Spanish team.

He added: 'We started well, but the end was not as we wanted (during the 2026 World Cup). We may have European championships, and perhaps world championships, ahead of us again.'

Erdogan's remarks coincide with the sixth anniversary of the reopening of Hagia Sophia, one of Turkey's most prominent historical landmarks. The president noted ongoing restoration work at the mosque, reflecting Ankara's interest in preserving this monument. He also touched on positive reactions from NATO leaders, including former US President Donald Trump, regarding the recent Ankara summit. Hagia Sophia remains an influential cultural and religious symbol, sparking debate between supporters of state secularism and segments of Turkish society. Observers are monitoring developments in this file, especially amid regional and international challenges.