Days ahead of Ramadan, the 450-year-old Ottoman tradition of mahyas, symbolizing the “sultan of eleven months,” has commenced adorning historical mosques. Specifically, a mahya with the inscription ‘La Ilahe Illallah’ has been hung on the minarets of Hagia Sophia Mosque, which reopened for worship in 2020 after 86 years. Coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Foundations, the ridge was crafted by Turkey’s last known ridge master, Kahraman Yıldız, and his team. The intricate process involved ascending the minaret to hang the mahya, symbolizing the onset of Ramadan. The mahya, featuring the inscription ‘La Ilahe Illallah,’ will remain unchanged throughout the holy month. A drone captured these historic moments.
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