Hundreds of people demanded that the historic Istanbul Hagia Sophia museum be converted into a mosque during a rally in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 24.
People gathered outside Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia with some carrying signs that read: “Hagia Sophia needs to be reopened as a mosque,” and “Let our lives be sacrificed for Islam.”
The protest was led by many Turkish nongovernmental organizations, including the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH).
Designed as a Christian basilica in the sixth century by Anthemios of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, Hagia Sophia is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
(source: Hurriyet)