The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque sparked controversy and criticism from countries like Greece, the US, Russia, and UNESCO, seen as a political move by President Erdogan.

The Turkish government defends the decision, citing it as an internal matter, and promises the site will remain open and preserved.

Critics argue that the reconversion reflects Erdogan's efforts to impose Islamic laws and promote a conservative Islamist agenda in Turkey.

The site's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation has been cited as a reason for criticism, as the reconversion undermines its cultural and historical significance.

Erdogan has invoked Sultan Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople in 1453, as a matter of national pride and historical significance.

Hagia Sophia's reconversion has sparked controversy over the growing role of religion in Turkish politics and society.

The international community has expressed concerns that the reconversion undermines secularism and cultural preservation.

As a tour guide in Istanbul, be prepared to address tourist concerns about Hagia Sophia's conversion in a sensitive manner.

Tour guides provide accurate information about the site's history and cultural significance while respecting its status as a mosque.

Knowing the site's history and policies helps tour guides address tourist concerns about the Hagia Sophia conversion.

Tour guides should ensure tourists respect the site's status as a mosque by dressing modestly and not disturbing prayers.

Effectively communicating Hagia Sophia's significance requires sensitivity and respect for its Christian and Islamic heritage.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque may impact local tourism businesses and revenue.

Tour guides must balance historical information with respect for the site's current religious use.

Technology like QR code headsets can provide multilingual information about Hagia Sophia without disrupting prayers.

The site's management plan regulates visitor density to improve quality and safety.

Tour guides can help visitors understand Hagia Sophia's complex history and cultural significance while respecting its current context.

Hagia Sophia now has separate entrances and tourist earphones under a new visitor management policy.

Tour guides use headsets with 23 languages to provide information about Hagia Sophia to tourists in their native language.

Guides can provide controlled entrance to maintain a peaceful environment for tourists and worshippers.

Security cameras and emergency systems are installed to ensure tourist safety.

Tourists can access Byzantine and Ottoman Period features, appreciating Hagia Sophia's historical and cultural significance.

Guides highlight Hagia Sophia's historical significance as a cultural and religious landmark.

Tourists can use QR codes for multilingual information about the sight.

Guides can highlight conservation work to preserve the site's historical integrity.

A new entrance in front of the Topkapi Palace Museum provides easier access for tourists.

Guides provide information on the site's religious significance.

Tour guides can use a multilingual app to cater to diverse tourists at Hagia Sophia.

Guides can help create a respectful atmosphere by providing quiet environments for tourists to learn.

Regulated visitor density helps prevent overcrowding and ensures a smooth experience for all visitors.

Historical context helps tourists understand Hagia Sophia's complex history and its conversion.

Guides can promote unity by emphasizing the site's importance as a shared cultural heritage.

The site supports 16 languages, catering to international tourists and making it more accessible.

Guides differentiate areas for tourists and worshippers to ensure a respectful and safe experience.

Tour guides can charge foreign tourists a fee, while Turkish citizens worship for free.

Guides use headphones and QR codes to provide detailed information about Hagia Sophia.

The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque sparked criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church over its cultural and religious significance.

The US State Department criticized the conversion decision, citing concerns over religious freedom and cultural heritage.

The Greek PM expressed dissatisfaction over the conversion of Chora Church to Kariye Mosque, citing concerns about preserving cultural and religious sites.

Erdoğan's decision to prioritize the Islamic past was seen as undermining the site's cultural and religious diversity.

Islamic tradition led to Hagia Sophia's mosaics being covered with curtains, a move widely criticized by art lovers and conservationists.

Tourists are restricted to the upper level in Hagia Sophia, raising concerns about cultural heritage preservation.

Chora Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

UNESCO criticized the conversion decision, citing concerns about its impact on the site's cultural and religious significance.

The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque was highly controversial, undermining its cultural and religious diversity.

Entry fees will be used to preserve the site for future generations.

Tour guides will provide guidance through earphones, not accompanying visitors.

Separate entrances for worshippers and tourists help manage visitor flow and prevent prayer disruptions.

Access to Hagia Sophia is restricted to ensure respectful and safe use by all visitors.

Hagia Sophia has been a world cultural heritage site since 1985.

The site's history has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as a Christian shrine and others as a significant Islamic site.

Tourists must cover their heads to enter the Hagia Sophia mosque, where guides provide historical context.

The Turkish government has implemented a visitor management policy with separate entrances and guided earphones for tourists.

Tour guides cannot accompany visitors and advance booking is required at least 3 hours prior.

Foreign tourists pay a €25 entrance fee, while Turkish citizens enter for free.

Guides speak multiple languages and provide information in 23 languages through headset guides with QR codes.

UNESCO has criticized the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and recommended a visitor management plan.

The Turkish Tourism Minister aims to preserve the site's cultural significance while managing tourist expectations.

Tourists can visit the site safely and respectfully due to security cameras and emergency systems.

Tour guides should provide historical facts, answer questions, and be sensitive to tourists' differing opinions and emotions.

The site's complex history requires knowledgeable and empathetic tour guides.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism provides training for tour guides on cultural heritage sites like Hagia Sophia.

Tour guides can receive training through the "Tourism Ambassadors" program to learn correct behaviors for interacting with tourists.

The Ministry of Tourism trains guidance staff on tour guiding, internal tourism promotion, and their assigned tasks.

A workshop for tour guides is available to develop practical skills and enhance the tourism experience.

The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque sparked controversy and criticism from countries like Greece, the US, Russia, and UNESCO, seen as a political move by President Erdogan.

Title:

Content: Turkey officially opens the Byzantine church and museum "Khora" as a mosque (PHOTOS)
World News
"Kari Mosque" in the Museum and Monastery of "Khora"
Copy Link https: / / www.rt.com / xhpk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday officially opened the Kari Mosque in Istanbul ’ s Byzantine Museum and Monastery of Khora, four years after the church dedicated a mosque to Muslims.
On Monday, Erdogan oversaw the official remote opening of the Khora mosque and a number of restored sites from the conference hall of his residence in Ankara.
Erdogan said during the opening ceremony, which was broadcast on Turkish television, "May it be a good start."
One of the first worshipers at the mosque told Anadolu Agency: “I have been waiting for its opening for four years, and I have been honored to pray in such a place. ”
Anadolu quoted another serum as saying: “Thank God for showing us these days, I hope we come here from time to time and do our prayers. ”
The site near the walls of the old city of Istanbul is famous for its fine mosaics and frescoes.
The church dates back to the 4th century, although the edifice took its present form during the 11th and 12th centuries.
Greece has criticized the Turkish government ’ s decision to return it to use as a mosque, accusing Ankara of “personal insult ” to another World Heritage site, saying the decisions to turn Hagia Sophia and Khora back into mosques are steps aimed at strengthening the support base of conservatives and the religious trend of Erdogan ’ s ruling party amid an economic downturn.
The museum was built "Khora" monastery, in 534, the building was converted into "Kari Mosque" at the beginning of the 16th century, it was used as a mosque for more than four centuries and was converted into a museum in 1945 by a Turkish ministerial decision.
In August 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the conversion of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral and the Kari Museum, known as a “bottomless church ” in Turkish, into mosques.
The conversion of the two churches into mosques was praised by Muslims, but drew criticism from Greece and other countries that urged Turkey to protect important Byzantine monuments, both of which have been listed as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations.
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How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

The Turkish government defends the decision, citing it as an internal matter, and promises the site will remain open and preserved.

Title:

Content: Erdogan invited the leaders of Muslim states to the first prayer in Hagia Sophia
13: 26 22 July Kiev, Ukraine
According to the plan, on July 24, the first prayer will be held in Hagia Sophia in Turkey, after it was decided to convert the building of the Orthodox church into a mosque.
The leaders of many Muslim countries are invited to take part in it.
Erdogan ’ s invitation came from Qatar and Azerbaijan.
The remaining heads of state have not yet responded to the Turkish president.
Remind me!
The Turkish government decided to change the status of the architectural monument and the Orthodox Church of St. Sophia and convert the room into a mosque.
The Pope said that this situation causes him grief.
The Patriarch of Ecumenical and Constantinople, who recently received a great number of churches on the territory of Ukraine, and did not demand the transfer of the museum to the Diocese of Constantinople in a timely manner, said that the creation of a mosque in the museum building can be negatively met in the Orthodox world.
It is expected that the first prayer in the new mosque will be attended by about 1000-1500 people.
All quarantine conditions will be met, participants in prayer will be given masks, and disinfectants will be placed everywhere in the cathedral so that people can treat their hands and their prayer mats.
During the prayer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also be present in the cathedral, along with Turkish ministers, leaders of the ruling Justice and Development Party.
As previously reported, all the frescoes and mosaics at the time of prayer will be covered with curtains.
On July 10, a Turkish court ruled that the decision to convert the mosque into a museum in 1934 was illegal.
Erdogan immediately signed a decree on assigning Hagia Sophia the status of a mosque.
The move has sparked international criticism and concern, including from Greece, the United States and Russia, as well as UNESCO and Pope Francis.
Turkey insists that the status of the architectural monument is its internal affair.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

Critics argue that the reconversion reflects Erdogan's efforts to impose Islamic laws and promote a conservative Islamist agenda in Turkey.

Title:

Content: Roundup of news from December 30, 2021
Erdogan the Conqueror
The Turkish president compared the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque with the fall of Constantinople.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to try on the kaftan of Sultan Mehmed II, whose troops captured Constantinople in 1453.
In this regard, he, summing up the year, compared the transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque with the fall of Tsargrad, reports the UOJ with reference to the publication “Vima Ortodoksiya ”.
According to the head of Turkey, the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is “as important ” for the Turks as the fall of the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
However, at the same time, many pay attention to the fact that the Turkish lira in the outgoing year fell strongly against the dollar, and this seriously hit the Turkish economy.
Responding to the criticism, Erdogan said he would “lead his people to what they deserve ” and stressed that he would“ apply the laws of Islam. ”
Thus, the Turkish authorities seek to distract their citizens from economic problems by proclaiming the Islamization of Turkey to the detriment of its secular status.
The economy of Turkey is not in the best condition, but Erdogan was again able to win the Hagia Sophia.
This is what officials in Ankara are thinking.
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What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The site's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation has been cited as a reason for criticism, as the reconversion undermines its cultural and historical significance.

Title:

Content: New rules come into force for the visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey - Sunrise Gate
Tuesday 16 January 2024 2: 04 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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New rules come into effect for visiting Hagia Sophia mosque in Turkey
DBA
Published on: Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM | Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM
The project for the Hagia Sophia mosque was closest to the heart of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – but it was also the project that drew international criticism.
In the summer of 2020, Erdogan restored Hagia Sophia to be a mosque after it was originally a church, converted into an Ottoman mosque, converted into a museum.
At the time, Erdogan assured citizens that entry fees would be abolished, adding that the cultural edifice would remain open to everyone – Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
There will be another major change from January 15, with access to the Hagia Sophia restricted and visitors will have to pay fees again.
Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Arsoy hopes this will improve coexistence between religious and tourist visitors.
Arsoy said recently that tourist visitors are making noise and disrupting calm and prayer.
Until recently, visitors and worshippers were allowed to enter the interior of Hagia Sophia together, with barriers and signs keeping a certain distance between them.
However, from now on, worshippers and tourists will be introduced through different entrances.
Although worshippers can use the same entrances as before, tourists will be guided through an upstairs hallway.
According to Arsoy, tour guides will not be allowed to accompany visitors through the corridors, and earphones will be used instead.
“Our priority there is prayer, ” Arsoy said, noting that the building is a world cultural heritage site and should therefore remain open to all visitors around the world.
Zuleiha Duman, 29, who returned to Istanbul from Germany to see Hagia Sophia after it was converted into a mosque, said she found it taking away.
Welcoming the new rules, she said: “As long as the entrance fee isn ’ t too high, I think it ’ s acceptable. ”
“Why shouldn ’ t Turkey and the government take advantage of this place?
These funds can be channeled to preserve more religious places. ”
Hagia Sophia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Istanbul ’ s history since 1985.
Built by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest place of worship in Christianity for nearly a thousand years, it was the main church during the Byzantine Empire, and from the seventh century, the emperor was crowned inside.
After the Ottomans entered Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
On the orders of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was converted into a museum in 1934 until the summer of 2020.
Hagia Sophia is as symbolically important to Orthodox Christians around the world as St. Peter ’ s Basilica is to Catholics.
After the building was converted into a mosque, criticism poured in from the Greek Orthodox Church.
The UNESCO Foundation also criticized the decision without consultation.
For Erdogan, turning the place into a mosque was his “childhood dream, ” as he himself said, and pleasing to religious voters.
A few external changes were made at the time, for example, a green carpet was placed above the marble floor.
It seems clear that all these things did not detract from the popularity of this teacher.
According to official statistics, some 13.6 million people visited the Hagia Sophia landmark in 2022, not all of them from Europe.
The number of visitors from Indonesia in particular has risen, Hagia Sophia Imam Binyamin Topoglu told Turkey ’ s Anadolu news agency in 2023.
The amount of the fees has not yet been determined.
Tourism Minister Ersoy says the proceeds will be spent on cultural assets, for excavation or preservation of monuments such as the Hagia Sophia.
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How did the Greek prime minister describe the reconversion in May 2024?

An act that belittles Istanbul's history

Erdogan has invoked Sultan Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople in 1453, as a matter of national pride and historical significance.

Hagia Sophia's reconversion has sparked controversy over the growing role of religion in Turkish politics and society.

Title:

Content: On the 564 anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia (CALHSC) called for the Hagia Sophia Museum to return to its original significance, that is, it should once again hear Christian prayers and Christian services.
Such a statement, reports the Austrian Catholic news agency KATHPRESS, was made by the president of CALHSC, an American politician of Greek origin Chris Spirou.
According to the agency, he has already appealed to the Turkish government with a proposal to start negotiations on this issue.
As a first step, it is proposed to allow regular liturgical services while maintaining the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum.
All Christians still perceive the cathedral as a shrine, Spira argues, so if the Turkish authorities raise the issue of returning it to the status of a cult place of worship, Ankara should hear the voices of Christians, not just Muslims.
In the event that the Turkish leadership does not go to negotiations, the “American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia ” is going to file a lawsuit in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Erhan Elaldı – Anadolu Agency
The 564th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople was celebrated by the Hagia Sophia as a museum.
What is the 565th anniversary?
This is not the first time Spirou has taken such an initiative.
His organization, registered in 2005, but not particularly famous, has already announced its intention to celebrate the liturgy in the cathedral museum.
The Turkish government then called the words of the American politician a provocation, and he himself was denied entry to the country.
But a lot of things are changing in the Middle East, Europe and the United States today.
Ankara is no longer the “best ally ” it used to be, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is moving further and further away from the familiar image of the head of state for Western colleagues, with whom you can deal.
Washington even under the previous administration with a squeak, but went on to recognize the importance of protecting Christian minorities in the Middle East, and the current Trump administration puts this at the forefront.
Cracks went on the sarcophagus, which until now protected the secular museum of Hagia Sophia from degeneration into a religious object.
And not at all in the church, in the mosque, which Hagia Sophia became after the conquest by the Ottomans of the capital of the Orthodox Byzantine Empire in May 1453.
The intensification of this process is associated today with the rebirth of Erdogan himself, although it is difficult to be completely sure that there is no political conjuncture here, which, as you know, is changeable.
Alexxx1979
View of St. Sophia Cathedral
Recall that in early April this year, a number of Turkish newspapers reported that the President was going on Friday, April 14, together with the leadership of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and religious leaders of Istanbul to visit the Hagia Sophia Museum to pray in it as Muslims.
The timing of Muslim prayer in the former church was not accidental.
On April 14 this year was Holy Friday, which is dedicated to the memory of the condemnation to death, the suffering of the cross and the death of Jesus Christ, as well as the removal of His body from the cross and burial.
Considering also that Easter is now the Orthodox and Catholics coincided, the message was sent powerful and significant.
All this seemed to be a continuation of playing the religious card on the eve of the referendum on April 16, which decided whether Turkey should be a parliamentary or presidential republic.
On April 18, it became clear that Erdogan had won.
But I lost at the same time.
In September 2015, during the parliamentary elections, the ruling party received 51% of the vote, and the nationalist Nationalist Action Party received about 20%.
When the AKP merged with the nationalists in the course of lobbying for constitutional amendments, it expected that the addition of 50% and 20% would give 70% or more in the referendum.
Only 51% of Turks supported the union of the two parties.
In this regard, many Turkish experts, analyzing the current situation, pointed out that the Justice and Development Party, having entered into an alliance with the Nationalist Action Party, made a strategic mistake, creating not only the impression of a synthesis of “soft Islamism ” with nationalists, but also began to cultivate a hybrid ideology of neo-Ottomanism, which was not supported by almost half of the citizens of Turkey..
However, there is another thing – the conservative and religious inner Anatolia, whose votes went to Erdogan, began to realize that from now on she has the right to present her demands to him.
This directly affects Saint Sophia.
An observer for the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News points out in this regard that on the eve of the 564 anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople, the space around the Hagia Sophia Museum is again filled, but not by tourists, but by members of the Anatolian Youth Association (AGD), whose motto is the words of the late Islamist politician, former Prime Minister of Turkey Necmettin Erbakan: “Life is faith and jihad ”.
These passionately believing people are actively opposed to everything that testifies to the presence of the non-Muslim faith in Turkish society.
And not just Santa Claus for the New Year.
For the past three years, they have focused on making Hagia Sophia “free from shackles ” and converted into a mosque.
Erdogan is slow.
However, the impatient members of the AGD are even more demanding for action this year.
After the referendum, Turkish politics entered a difficult phase of implementing the new constitution, and after May 29, the question arises whether these loud signals from Anatolia will now be ignored.
The Turkish president himself, during a speech in the ancient capital during the celebration of the conquest of Constantinople, according to the government news agency Anadolu, emphasized that “Istanbul, which since its foundation has been the capital of different states and cultures, has become a center of peaceful coexistence and tolerance during the just rule of Sultan Mehmed Fatih [also known as Mehmed the Conqueror]. ”
This part of Erdogan ’ s rhetoric looks tolerant.
But what will follow?
If suddenly the Turkish president decided to allow the Hagia Sophia Museum to serve the liturgy, then this, at least, made us think about the prospects of a possible return of Turkey to the path of improving relations with the Christian world, in particular with the European Union, which Erdogan has repeatedly sarcastic called “the Christian club ”.
However, this will require from the president not only personal courage, but also reliance on new political and social forces, the search for new allies in the country and abroad.
The problem is that even in Turkey itself, an opinion is beginning to take shape that Erdogan is becoming a hostage of internal Anatolia.
This means that the Hagia Sophia Museum, under pressure from this part of the country and society, would rather become a mosque than a church.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The international community has expressed concerns that the reconversion undermines secularism and cultural preservation.

As a tour guide in Istanbul, be prepared to address tourist concerns about Hagia Sophia's conversion in a sensitive manner.

Title:

Content: [ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia - Orthodox Christian Laity

Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia

0

Source: Greek Reporter

A still from a recently released video shows visitors rushing to take cover as fragments fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. Credit: Daily Motion/BirGün

A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul.

The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque.

BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”.

The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as possible, suggesting that “If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake.”

The monument was restored as a mosque three years ago after serving as a museum from 1935-2020 and has since received 21 million visitors, according to Turkey’s tourism and culture minister.

Yasar added that when the church was a museum, the scientific council overseeing it urged that groups of no more than 25 people should be allowed to enter the building at any one time.

This enormous lift in visitation has likely brought to the forefront the need for repairs and it was indeed reported in September that the Turkish government had decided to start long-term maintenance of Hagia Sophia.

Turkey to implement visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia

In early October Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli expressed fears that the large number of visitors to Hagia Sophia could lead to a catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately.

Writing in the Hürriyet daily, Ortayli said that the monument, which attracts three million pilgrims annually apart from tourists, has undergone significant damage since its conversion into a mosque.

He asserted that even a modest number of 20-30 thousand people annually, including scientists, historians, archaeologists, representatives of the Muslim religion, politicians, and public officials, could be considered excessive for the endurance of the monument.

In June 2022 a number of tiles of the ancient marble floors in Hagia Sophia were damaged by heavy machines used to clean the site.

In April 2022, The Turkish Association of Art Historians stated that the historic Imperial Gate in Hagia Sophia had been badly damaged.

The group posted a picture clearly depicting the damage to the oak wood of the 15-century-old gate.

Turkey unveiled plans in late October for a visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia, including charging foreign tourists with an entrance fee to be implemented starting Jan. 15.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that extensive restoration work is underway in various sections of Hagia Sophia, now a mosque, with plans to progress to other parts upon their completion.

He emphasized that, based on UNESCO’s recommendations, a visitor management plan would be enforced to enhance the quality and safety of visits while preserving the historical significance of the site.

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Officials argue for repairs to Hagia Sophia after footage shows fragments falling from the dome – Neos Kosmos

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Tour guides provide accurate information about the site's history and cultural significance while respecting its status as a mosque.

Title:

Content: Echoes of Constantinople: Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome Square, Basilica Cistern
Immerse yourself in the history of the centuries-old city on excursions to its main places
For a couple of hours we will leave Istanbul to be in ancient Constantinople.
This is a journey not in space, but in time: I will take you to those places that remember the glory of the Byzantine Empire.
The first thing to see is, of course, Hagia Sophia – a unique temple with an incredible history.
Then we will visit the Hippodrome Square and finish the walk down to the dungeon.
5
2 reviews
Upcoming dates:
Start time: 09: 00, 09: 30, 10: 00, 10: 30, 11: 00, 11: 30, 12: 00, 12: 30, 13: 00, 13: 30, 14: 00, 14: 30, 15: 30, 16: 00, 16: 30, 17: 00, 17: 30, 18: 00, 18: 30, 19: 00, 19: 30, 20: 00
Description of the excursion
What awaits you
This tour will open the doors to the past of the great Constantinople.
Let ’ s start with Hagia Sophia, where you will learn about its transformation from a Christian cathedral into a mosque, into a museum and again into a mosque.
And enjoy the scale and beauty of the building.
Then we will move to the Hippodrome Square, where the Byzantines once had fun, and explore the Egyptian obelisk, which is already 3,500 years old!
The last stop will be the Basilica Cistern, the largest Roman reservoir in Europe.
I will tell you how the city ’ s water supply system functioned.
And you can make spectacular pictures - even the dungeons in those days were beautifully decorated.
Organizational details
• To enter the mosque, you must cover your head with a handkerchief and be in closed clothes
• Additional entrance fees to the Basilica Cistern – 800 lire / person and to Hagia Sophia – 27 €/ person.
Choose a convenient date from the schedule
Choose date
Answers to questions
Place of start and end?
On Hippodrome Square
When and how long does it last?
When: Choose a convenient date from the schedule
The tour lasts about 2.5 hours
Book in advance, at least 3 hours in advance
Who else will be with me?
This is an individual tour, all the attention will be for you and your company.
Group size no more than 5 people.
Do I have to pay everything at once?
No, you do not need to pay immediately - it is enough to pay 22% of the cost, and the rest is already on the spot.
It is necessary that the date and number of people are reserved for you, and the guides begin to prepare for the tour.
Before payment, you can ask a question to the organizer
Can I ask a question before booking?
Of course, the guide will be happy to answer your questions.
Just go to this form and ask your question.
It is not necessary to pay, you just make a request for a reservation without payment, but with a question, and if then something does not suit you, just do not pay or click the cancel button.
Reviews and rating
5
Based on 2 reviews
Write a review can only tourists who attended the event
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2
1
May 15, 2024
The most enthusiastic reviews and impressions of excursions conducted by Islam!!!
Great Russian language, the most interesting presentation of the city!
With a lot of historical facts, questions and answers to them!
In a casual way about the most important thing: c
read more
photo fixation, not in a hurry, while doing everything in time.
We are very grateful to this guide and definitely recommend it!
On the street is very noisy and a lot of tourists, to walk in groups of 10 and especially 15 people I find very inconvenient.
Shouting your questions through the crowd will bring little pleasure, dialogue I think will not work out.
Ask for an individual guide is the best gift you can give yourself!!!
Islam, thank you very much!!!
A
May 15, 2024
We were on a tour with a group of 5 people.
We liked Islam as a guide, an interesting interlocutor and a comprehensively developed person.
He answered all the questions, helped to orient himself in the city, gave the necessary recommendations.
The tour made an unforgettable impression, I highly recommend to visit!
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Knowing the site's history and policies helps tour guides address tourist concerns about the Hagia Sophia conversion.

Tour guides should ensure tourists respect the site's status as a mosque by dressing modestly and not disturbing prayers.

Effectively communicating Hagia Sophia's significance requires sensitivity and respect for its Christian and Islamic heritage.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque may impact local tourism businesses and revenue.

Title:

Content: Hagia Sophia must once again become a place of Christian worship, demands the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia.
For a start, according to the organization, it is possible to allow liturgies in Hagia Sophia, preserving its museum status.
Although Christians still perceive this cathedral captured together with Constantinople in 1453 as one of the most important shrines.
In case of refusal, the “Council ” intends to appeal to the ECHR.
However, the situation around Hagia Sophia is much more complicated; the observer of IA REGNUM Stanislav Stremidlovsky analyzes the recent events around the former main temple of Byzantium.
Erhan Elaldı – Anadolu Agency
The 564th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople was celebrated by the Hagia Sophia as a museum.
What is the 565th anniversary?
The head of the “Council ”, American politician Chris Spirou, has already been declared a provocateur by the Turkish authorities.
Today, when Erdogan is increasingly moving away from “his overseas partners ” at least in terms of the desired image of the president, and the new owner of the White House pays much more attention to Middle Eastern Christians than Obama, the situation is clearly changing.
There are already hints that Hagia Sophia from the museum will become a mosque.
At the same time, Erdogan ’ s victory in the last referendum made the president a debtor of domestic Anatolia (at least she believes so), who gave him their votes.
The Anatolian Youth Association strongly opposes any manifestations of non-Muslim faith in Turkish society.
For three years now, they have been trying to make Hagia Sophia a mosque.
And although Erdogan is in no hurry to meet, the Association expects decisive measures from him.
Where the Turkish president is inclined and what Hagia Sophia, cathedral or mosque can become, read here: Internal Anatolia, who supported Erdogan, demands to make Hagia Sophia a mosque
Read other articles by Stanislav Stremidlovsky on the relationship of world religions.

Tour guides must balance historical information with respect for the site's current religious use.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

Technology like QR code headsets can provide multilingual information about Hagia Sophia without disrupting prayers.

Title:

Content: Turkey’s iconic Hagia Sophia mosque to charge $28 entry fee for tourists

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Turkey’s Hagia Sophia mosque began charging tourists nearly $28 on Monday for entrance to the landmark site.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its blue-tiled interior, will no longer allow free admission to foreigners, the Turkish tourism ministry announced.

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The former museum-turned mosque has a new entrance in front of the Topkapi Palace Museum open for tourists.

Tunnel entrance at Turkey's Hagia Sophia. (File photo)

The Hagia Sophia was a museum space from 1934 until 2020 when Turkey decided to change it to a mosque. Various historical reports say the mosque with byzantine architecture was an Orthodox cathedral decades ago.

“With the new application that will start on January 15 at the Hagia Sophia Mosque, tourists will be able to visit the mosque without disturbing the prayer environment,” the ministry said in a statement.

The entrance to the mosque will be “provided in a controlled manner through the tunnel and entrance ramp where visitors will be transported to the gallery floor and exited via the ramp in the northeast direction,” the statement said.

“Tourists who come to the gallery section will be able to see the sanctuary floor of the mosque and the Ottoman Period annexes, pass through the heaven-hell gate, and examine the Byzantine Period mosaics in this section,” it added.

Security cameras, fire detection and emergency announcement systems were reportedly installed in the mosque along the tour route. Cleaning and conservation work on the marble coverings and wooden railings on the gallery floor of the mosque was also carried out by restorers and conservators.

Visitors will also have access to a headset guide with QR codes where information on the sight is available in 23 languages.

People visit the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 10, 2020. (Reuters)

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The site's management plan regulates visitor density to improve quality and safety.

Title:

Content: Events
Entrance to Hagia Sophia will again be paid, but not for everyone
Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that visiting the Ayia Sophia mosque for foreign citizens from January 15 will be paid.
Ersoy, who held a press conference at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM), said that according to the first 9 months of tourism, the total number of visitors, which last year amounted to 40.2 million people, increased to 45.2 million at the end of September.
Noting that Ayia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square are included in the UNESCO permanent heritage list, Ersoy said that they listened to the advice and opinions of UNESCO and implemented the decisions on the restoration of the Ayia Sophia Mosque.
Minister Ersoy stressed that from January 15, 2024, they will move to the management plan of the visitors of Agia Sofya on the recommendation of UNESCO, and said:
“In this management plan, the quality of visits and safety will be improved.
Density will be regulated by distributing it along different routes.
Again, our precious mosque will be incorporated into a very ideal ecosystem focused on protecting and promoting the "Common Heritage of Humanity".
According to Ersoy, the entrance for worshippers will remain the same, but the tourist entrance will change, so that these two streams will not change. that information about Hagia Sophia will be provided in 16 languages through an application with a QR code and headphones.
Ersoy added: “From now on, visitors will be able to complete the process by receiving detailed information about the entire history and iconography of Hagia Sophia in a quiet environment without disturbing the faithful. ”
Noting that from January 15, 2024, foreign tourists visiting the mosque will be charged a ticket fee, Ersoy said: “Visits by our Turkish citizens for the purpose of worship will be free as before.
This practice also exists in many countries. "
In general, judging by the words of Ersoy, the Hagia Sophia mosque will partially return to the function of a museum.
The most important question that may concern us now is whether the mosque will become accessible to believers from other countries?
Ersoy said that free entrance will remain only for Turkish citizens, but perhaps here he was simply referring to those who come to the mosque for the purpose of prayer, since it is obvious that the absolute majority of those praying are Turks.
In any case, we hope for this, because if passports are checked at the entrance to the mosque, and the descendants of Bosniaks or Albanians are asked to pay money so that they can pray in the mosque that their ancestors conquered in the army of Sultan Fatih Mehmed, any neo-Ottomanism can be put a bold end to.
Author: Jakub Hadžić
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Tour guides can help visitors understand Hagia Sophia's complex history and cultural significance while respecting its current context.

Title:

Content: She returned Hagia Sophia to a mosque.
Turkey has challenged global trusteeship
Daily Morning
Istanbul, Turkey
Posted at 29.10.2022 10: 23
Hagia Sophia Mosque (Getty Images)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that the fact that Turkey has returned the Hagia Sophia museum from a museum to a mosque represents a major challenge to the global trusteeship.
Speaking at a ceremony announcing the vision of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) “Turkey ’ s Century ” in Ankara, Erdogan said his country was challenging global tutelage and thanked citizens for their support for the decision to return Hagia Sophia.
He noted that his party has always sought to eliminate any vestiges of guardianship and promote democracy in the country over the past 20 years.
Turkey has lived through a remarkable period in its history in general and the history of Istanbul, especially when Hagia Sophia was transformed from its status as a museum and restored to its former glory as the Grand Mosque of Hagia Sophia on July 24, 2020.
The historic building remained a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul.
It was then used as a mosque between 1453 and 1934, nearly 500 years before becoming a museum for 86 years.
It is one of the most visited historical buildings in Turkey by domestic and international tourists, and Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
On July 10, 2020, a Turkish court overturned a 1934 ministerial decision that turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for it to be used again as a mosque after an 86-year hiatus.

Hagia Sophia now has separate entrances and tourist earphones under a new visitor management policy.

Tour guides use headsets with 23 languages to provide information about Hagia Sophia to tourists in their native language.

Guides can provide controlled entrance to maintain a peaceful environment for tourists and worshippers.

Security cameras and emergency systems are installed to ensure tourist safety.

Tourists can access Byzantine and Ottoman Period features, appreciating Hagia Sophia's historical and cultural significance.

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

made Hagia Sophia a major tourist attraction.

Guides highlight Hagia Sophia's historical significance as a cultural and religious landmark.

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

Tourists can use QR codes for multilingual information about the sight.

Guides can highlight conservation work to preserve the site's historical integrity.

A new entrance in front of the Topkapi Palace Museum provides easier access for tourists.

Guides provide information on the site's religious significance.

Tour guides can use a multilingual app to cater to diverse tourists at Hagia Sophia.

Guides can help create a respectful atmosphere by providing quiet environments for tourists to learn.

Regulated visitor density helps prevent overcrowding and ensures a smooth experience for all visitors.

Historical context helps tourists understand Hagia Sophia's complex history and its conversion.

How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

Guides can promote unity by emphasizing the site's importance as a shared cultural heritage.

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

The site supports 16 languages, catering to international tourists and making it more accessible.

Guides differentiate areas for tourists and worshippers to ensure a respectful and safe experience.

Tour guides can charge foreign tourists a fee, while Turkish citizens worship for free.

Guides use headphones and QR codes to provide detailed information about Hagia Sophia.

The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque sparked criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church over its cultural and religious significance.

Title:

Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The US State Department criticized the conversion decision, citing concerns over religious freedom and cultural heritage.

The Greek PM expressed dissatisfaction over the conversion of Chora Church to Kariye Mosque, citing concerns about preserving cultural and religious sites.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Erdoğan's decision to prioritize the Islamic past was seen as undermining the site's cultural and religious diversity.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Islamic tradition led to Hagia Sophia's mosaics being covered with curtains, a move widely criticized by art lovers and conservationists.

Tourists are restricted to the upper level in Hagia Sophia, raising concerns about cultural heritage preservation.

Chora Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

UNESCO criticized the conversion decision, citing concerns about its impact on the site's cultural and religious significance.

The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque was highly controversial, undermining its cultural and religious diversity.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Entry fees will be used to preserve the site for future generations.

Tour guides will provide guidance through earphones, not accompanying visitors.

Separate entrances for worshippers and tourists help manage visitor flow and prevent prayer disruptions.

Access to Hagia Sophia is restricted to ensure respectful and safe use by all visitors.

Hagia Sophia has been a world cultural heritage site since 1985.

The site's history has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as a Christian shrine and others as a significant Islamic site.

Tourists must cover their heads to enter the Hagia Sophia mosque, where guides provide historical context.

How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

The Turkish government has implemented a visitor management policy with separate entrances and guided earphones for tourists.

Tour guides cannot accompany visitors and advance booking is required at least 3 hours prior.

Foreign tourists pay a €25 entrance fee, while Turkish citizens enter for free.

Title:

Content: Entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul will be paid for foreign tourists
Entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul from January 15 will be paid for foreign tourists.
This is reported by RIA Novosti.
According to the agency, such a measure will be taken three and a half years after the transformation of the museum into a religious object.
It is noted that a ticket to Hagia Sophia will cost €25.
For Turkish citizens, the entrance will be free.
In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree changing the status of Hagia Sophia to a mosque.
He later stated that changing the status of Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia) in Istanbul is a step towards greater Turkey.
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Guides speak multiple languages and provide information in 23 languages through headset guides with QR codes.

UNESCO has criticized the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and recommended a visitor management plan.

The Turkish Tourism Minister aims to preserve the site's cultural significance while managing tourist expectations.

Tourists can visit the site safely and respectfully due to security cameras and emergency systems.

Tour guides should provide historical facts, answer questions, and be sensitive to tourists' differing opinions and emotions.

The site's complex history requires knowledgeable and empathetic tour guides.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism provides training for tour guides on cultural heritage sites like Hagia Sophia.

Title:

Content: "Cultural tourism" cooperation to train 2000 teachers on professionalism of performance
28 Miscellaneous Articles Including Cultural Tracks to Provide a Distinctive Tourism Experience
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has completed the preparation of 28 training materials for cultural heritage sites and cultural tourism paths in the Kingdom, with the aim of enriching the content provided to tour guides to provide a distinctive tourism experience by raising their efficiency and providing them with accurate information about the various cultural heritage sites in the Kingdom and cultural tourism paths.
This initiative provides accurate and documented sources of information on cultural heritage sites in various regions of the Kingdom, within the role of the Ministry of Culture represented by the heritage and museums bodies supporting the national heritage, and based on its authority and responsibilities towards the preservation of that heritage, and awareness of its importance and cultural value.
This content will benefit 2,000 trainees in the first phase, as the Ministry of Tourism seeks to upgrade the tourism guidance profession in the Kingdom.
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Tour guides can receive training through the "Tourism Ambassadors" program to learn correct behaviors for interacting with tourists.

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Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
A training course for a number of tourism workers at Mohammed Ali Palace in Manial
The Ministry of Tourism organized a training course for civil security personnel and ticket office workers at Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial to complement the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' plan to upgrade the human element of the tourism and archaeological sector workers at the level of the Republic, within the framework of the "Tourism Ambassadors" program.
Dr. Suha Bahgat, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Training Affairs, pointed out that the course lasted for two days, where the trainees were introduced to how to apply tourism services in archaeological sites and museums, how to communicate with visitors and deal with them properly, in addition to managing crises and problems.
She added that at the end of this training course, the trainees were handed certificates accredited by the internationally accredited School of London.
It is worth mentioning that this program is funded by ALEXBANK and implemented by the Rythm Training Foundation accredited by the Institute of Hospitality in the United Kingdom, and aims to raise tourism awareness among the tourism and antiquities sector and introduce them to the correct behaviors that must be followed with tourists and visitors to be ambassadors of the country while dealing with visitors to tourist and archaeological sites.

The Ministry of Tourism trains guidance staff on tour guiding, internal tourism promotion, and their assigned tasks.

Title:

Content: News » Government News
In an effort to upgrade its guidance staff
Tourism participates in a training program to stimulate local tourism
31 August 2023 11: 32
Tourism participates in a training program to stimulate local tourism
Gaza – Agency of Opinion:
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities participated in the extended training program implemented by the Primary Relief Foundation (TRF) under the title "Promoting Internal Tourism" to upgrade the tourism sector and its staff in the Gaza Strip.
The staff of the Ministry, which consists of a number of guides, confirmed that the training increased their knowledge and broadened their awareness towards the tourism sector, especially with the link of the course with the global perspective of tourism, which is inspired by the experiences of this in serving the local tourism sector.
The training deals with the definition of the tour guide, the qualities he must possess, the tasks assigned to him, the methods of promoting internal tourism and a number of important topics related to tourism in Palestine.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had concluded a course for the cadre of the judicial police in partnership with the Public Prosecution, later this month this program specialized in tourism guidance second during this month to improve the cadre of the ministry in general.
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A workshop for tour guides is available to develop practical skills and enhance the tourism experience.

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Content: Featured MaterialEastern Region
“Increasing the efficiency of tourist guides. ”
Workshop in Al Ahsa Chamber
Regions _ UAS
Al-Ahsa Chamber, represented by the Committee of Tourism and Entertainment, organized yesterday a workshop entitled “Raising the efficiency of tour guides for the coming tourist season ”, in the presence of the Chairman of the Chamber Abdulaziz Al-Mousa, and the participation of a number of tour guides in Al-Ahsa, at Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Hammad Hall at the Chamber ’ s headquarters.
The workshop aims at developing the practical skills and professional abilities of tour guides and building the knowledge of tours and effective communication methods in tourism guidance and enabling them to travel routes in the governorate, which is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Kingdom and one of its most important sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
During the workshop, working papers were presented entitled “The Future of Guidance and Tourism in Al-Ahsa ”,“ Tourism Guidance Protocols ”, “How to Become a Creative Tour Guide? ” and“ How to Deal with Foreign Tourists ”.
At the end of the workshop, a number of interventions, questions and opinions were raised on the subject of the workshop.
The committee stressed the importance of training programs and practical workshops that help tour guides to master guided tours, provide interesting tourism experiences and a diverse and integrated package for guests, and highlight the tourism components in Al-Ahsa, thus contributing to the revitalization and development of the tourism sector and enhancing the tourist experience, attracting investments and enhancing tourism sustainability.
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