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Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”), Sancta Sophia in Latin or Aya Sofya in Turkish, is a former church building (basilica) and the mosque, now a museum in Istanbul. Because it has two functions, namely as mosques and churches, the museums can be found two symbols for Christians and Muslims.

Period Byzantine Empire

Until 1453, the Hagia Sophia is the cathedral church (basilica) Byzantines built by Constantius, the son of Constantine the Great. The church is frequently hit by earthquakes and downs, although the dome-shaped building is made. On 7 May 558, at the time of Emperor Justinian, the eastern dome collapsed after an earthquake hit. On October 26 986, during the reign of Emperor Basil II (958-1025, again affected by the earthquake.

Finally, extensive renovations carried out so as not affected by the earthquake at the beginning of the 14th century. The specialty of this building is situated on a large dome shape and height. Tenghnya size 30 m. Fundamennya high and 54 m. The interior is decorated with mosaics and frescoes, its pillars are made of colored marble, and walls adorned with carvings.

Ottoman Turkish Period

When Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople on Tuesday, May 27, 1453 and entered the city, Mehmed II dismounted and prostrated thanks to God, then go to the Church of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and ordered the change known as the Aya Sofia. Jum’atnya directly converted into mosques for Friday prayers.

Various modifications to the building to be done to fit the pattern and style of mosque building. At the time of Mehmed II (1444-1446 and 1451-1481) built the tower in the south. Selim II (1566-1574) to build two towers and convert part of the building is characterized by the church. Including changing the sign of the cross on display at the top of the dome was decorated with a crescent moon.

So for nearly 500 years the Hagia Sophia serves as a mosque. The statue, cross, and his paintings had been removed or covered with paint.

The period of ‘Modern’

In 1937, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk changed the status of Hagia Sophia into a museum. Begin the project “The demolition of Hagia Sophia”. Some parts of the walls and ceilings scraped from paints calligraphy until rediscovered paintings of sacred Christian.

Since then, the Aya Sofya mosque as one of famous tourist attraction by the Turkish government in Istanbul. Historical value covered the Byzantine architectural style fascinating.

The letters in the Hagia Sophia Mosque

Here exhibited letters that show the greatness of the caliph in the Ottoman caliphate ensure, protect, and prosperity of its citizens or foreigners indiscriminately asylum seekers. The oldest is the letter of the land certificate given in 1519 to Jewish refugees who fled from the cruel Spanish Inquisition after the fall of Islamic rule in al-Andalus.

Then a letter of thanks from the Government of the United States for food aid sent kholifah to it being hit by hunger (after the war with England) the 18th century. Then letters of guarantee protection to the King of Sweden who expelled the Russians and exiled to kholifah dancing at 7 Agustus1709.

Letter dated 13 Robi’ul End 1282 H (5 September1865) who gave permission and the cost of the 30 families who emigrated to Greece Rusianamun back to the caliphate, because in Russia they were just miserable. The latest is a free allowance of luggage regulations of the Russians who seek exile to the caliphate after the Bolshevik Revolution of 25 Desember1920 M.

Here, approximately 100 samples exhibited a remarkable letter, either directed or issued to kholifah. Unfortunately, you’ll enjoy all the evidence if it is as if a proof of the greatness of the Turks, did not emanate from the creed, the Shari’ah and Islamic Khilafah system.