Hawzah News Agency - (Istanbul - Turkey) - South Africa live broadcast the first Friday prayer at Hagia Sophia Mosque that  conducted today after nearly 90 years.

Deputy head of South Africa Awqaf Foundation Mickael Collier said that television and radio channels in South Africa broadcast the historical event.

“July 24 is of great importance for Muslims as the Hagia Sophia Mosque open to worship after 86 years,” Collier said.

Hagia Sophia is among Turkey’s top tourism destinations for domestic and foreign visitors.

In 1985, during its time as a museum, Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It 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.

A Turkish court annulled a 1934 Cabinet decree July 19 that turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for its use as a mosque.

In the new era for Hagia Sophia, Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate will oversee religious services at the mosque, while the Culture and Tourism Ministry will supervise restoration and conservation work.

The architectural treasure will also be open to domestic and foreign tourists free of charge.