After an 87-year break, Eid prayers were held at Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia Mosque on Thursday.
Thousands of worshippers joined Ali Erbas, the head of Turkey’s top religious body Diyanet, in a prayer led by him.
Erbas delivered the Eid sermon while wielding a sword, an Ottoman custom that symbolizes conquest.
“These holidays are kept at unique times that define us, unite our hearts, and strengthen our brotherhood,” he said.
He said a special prayer for Palestinians who are being attacked by Israeli troops.
“The attempt by Israel to conquer the holy city of Jerusalem and our first Qibla, Masjid Al-Aqsa, which continues to be violent even throughout Ramadan, brings great sorrow and pain to all believers,” Erbas said.
He went on to say that attacking Muslim worshippers in a “barbaric” manner offended the sanctity of the holy mosque and the prophets’ memory.
