×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
18
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 6°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Politics

Turkish President Erdogan provokes again: My dream as a boy was to free Hagia Sophia

He addressed a crowd of Muslims after Friday prayer

Newsroom July 17 05:33

While Greece is calling for strict sanctions at the EU summit against Turkey for the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque provocation Turkish President  Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued his belligerent language, claiming his decision had freed Hagia Sophia.

“It was a dream since I was young to free Hagia Sophia from the shackles of slavery,” the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a crowd of Muslims after Friday prayers, just a week before Hagia Sophia became a mosque, adding that his decision had broken these chains.

also read 

Unprecedented Twitter Hack Targets Celebrity Accounts (infographic)

>Related articles

President of Air Traffic Controllers: Another communications blackout possible in the near future

X is down, thousands report problems

Less alcohol and lower speeds with the new Highway Code and strict fines

Yes, you may be reading the wrong horoscope & No, it isn’t NASA’s fault your zodiac sign changed

The Turkish president also said that he was not deterred by any of the international reactions, stressing: “The opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque is a matter of our sovereignty.”

Erdogan said that the international outcry to Hagia Sophia conversion were empty of content. He also announced that the first prayer in Hagia Sophia on Friday, July 24 will be attended by 1,000 to 1,500 people.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#greece#Hagia Sophia#President Recep Tayyip Erdogan#provocation#Tukey
> More Politics

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Erfan Soltani confirmed alive by Iranian Human Rights Group after days of uncertainty

January 18, 2026

Rescue operation underway for eight hikers on Mount Taygetus; four injured

January 18, 2026

Piers Morgan recovering in hospital after serious fall in London

January 18, 2026

Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ agenda: From talks with farmers’ representatives to Davos for investment outreach

January 18, 2026

Iraq veterans report long-term health concerns after a lack of medical screening for toxic exposure

January 18, 2026

Skirtsos: ‘After years of efforts, the first results on maritime safety are starting to become visible’

January 18, 2026

Politico: Europe for the first time considers tough response to Trump on Greenland tariffs, what is the Anti-Brexit Act

January 18, 2026

The backstory behind Trump’s decision not to attack Iran: The camps in the White House, the SMS from Tehran, and the calls from Arab allies

January 18, 2026
All News

> Politics

Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ agenda: From talks with farmers’ representatives to Davos for investment outreach

Talks with farmers expected to ease protests, followed by the prime minister’s participation in the World Economic Forum

January 18, 2026

Skirtsos: ‘After years of efforts, the first results on maritime safety are starting to become visible’

January 18, 2026

Mitsotakis: Greece will not be challenged by anyone with the Belharra frigates – Our goal is to support farmers with transparent subsidies

January 18, 2026

New legal migration rules for 90,000 pending residence permits

January 18, 2026

Mitsotakis on the Karystianou party: “There is a long distance between being the parent of a tragedy victim and being the leader of a political party”

January 17, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα