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The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Christian establishment nearly 1500 years ago in Istanbul, Turkey. Its function as a religious location has changed throughout the years as both a basilica for Orthodox Christians and a mosque for Muslims. As it was converted from a basilica to a mosque, the Ottomans renovated the inside and covered the originial Orthodox-themed mosaics and symbols. Today, the building serves as an important site for political and religious education.

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History of Turkiye (also known as Turkey)

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History of Turkiye (also known as Turkey)

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The region of Anatolia where Turkiye is presently located was first unified by the Hittite Empire. Following the decline of this empire, the area was invaded by the Persians and the Hellenist Greeks under Alexander the Great. It was soon added to the Roman empire and its capital, Constantinople, became the seat of the Byzantine Empire. During this period, the Hagia Sophia was built as an Orthodox Christian basilica. In 1453, The Ottomans, an Islamic empire, conquered Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul, and converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Following the break-up of the Ottoman Empire after WWI, Turkiye became an independent republic. Though it is technically a secular state, its government does heavily support the Islamic community.

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Muslims in Turkey celebrate two major festivals: Ramazan (known as Ramadan in other countries) in which they fast from sunrise to sundown, and Eid, their most important festival of the year. During Eid, Muslims commemorate Abraham and celebrate the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage).

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Kurian, George Thomas, ed. "Turkey: History Overview." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File. fofweb.infobase.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&History.aspx&iPin=M0019875&SingleRecord=True. 16 Aug. 2022.

Kurian, George Thomas, ed. "Turkey: Religions." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File. fofweb.infobase.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&Culture.aspx&iPin=M0019875&SingleRecord=True. 16 Aug. 2022.

Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkey-turkiye/summaries.

History.com Editors. “Hagia Sophia.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 12 Jan. 2018, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/hagia-sophia.

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Hagia Sophia ‑ Meaning, Mosque & Istanbul | HISTORY

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The Hagia Sofia is a grand mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, that was originally built as a basilica for the Greek Orthodox Christian Church in the 4th century A.D.

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Language Spoken: Turkish
Form of Government: Presidential Republic
- A presidential republic describes the separation of the executive and legislative branches of government.
Branch of Islam: Sunni

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Turkey is 99% Muslim. This group is made up of approximately one-third Shia Muslims and two-thirds Sunni Muslims. The government largely supports the Sunni sect of Islam. The Sunni branch of Islam is the more common and traditional sect.