Pakistani viewers glued to screens in live broadcast of Hagia Sophia Mosque reopening

Pakistanis watched live on their television screens the reopening of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul as the country’s news channels dedicated a large portion of their broadcast time to the historic event.

Channels like ARY News, GNN News, 24 News and Samaa TV, among others, prepared special programs for Hagia Sophia’s mosque reversion, with before and after broadcast panels to cover the event.

The Pakistani broadcast from Istanbul, including the Friday sermon of the head of Turkey’s religious affairs, was simultaneously translated into English, which was received with jubilation and interest from Pakistani audiences.

Hagia Sophia served as a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul, and a mosque from 1453 to 1934 -- nearly 500 years -- and most recently as a museum for 86 years.

One of the most visited historic buildings in Turkey by domestic and international tourists, Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, during its time as a museum.

A Turkish court annulled a 1934 Cabinet decree on July 10 that had turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for its use again as a mosque after an 86-year hiatus.