Blue Mosque in Istanbul opened after five years of restoration

The Sultanahmet Mosque, located in Istanbul, known as the Blue Mosque, opened to the faithful today after a five-year restoration.

In total, during the five years of restoration, the mosque was completely closed for only five months. The rest of the time it functioned, albeit with limitations. So, it was possible to enter it, but prayers were not held in it.

The mosque opened for prayers on Friday with the onset of the Eid al-Adha holiday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in the opening ceremony, which took place after Friday prayer.