As Ramadan, which this year begins in Turkey on 11 March and lasts until 9 April, approaches, mosques in Istanbul and across the country are preparing for this special period when they will be decorated and welcome thousands of worshippers to pray before and after the fast.
On Tuesday, cleaning work began at the Grand Mosque of Hagia Sophia, where a team of 20 people have been cleaning and disinfecting carpets, fountains, benches and courtyards: works that will continue throughout Ramadan, during which the interior of Hagia Sophia will be sprayed with rose water every evening, according to those responsible for the works.
Another aspect to keep in mind during Ramadan in Istanbul is the decoration of the mosques, which at this time are adorned with so-called ‘mahya lights‘: this is a centuries-old tradition, according to which huge letters with religious messages are hung between the minarets.
In the case of Hagia Sophia, work began on Tuesday to put up a mahya with the Arabic phrase ‘La ilaha illallah‘ (There is no God but God); although work began on Monday at the Eyüpsultan Mosque in Istanbul, by far the largest mahya to be put up during Ramadan is the one decorating Hagia Sophia, which – say the workers in charge of putting up the lights – is “the size of three mosques”.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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