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The Tile Panel, Aya Sofya
An Ottoman addition to Aya Sofya, these are Iznik tiles from 16-17th centuries with Koranic inscriptions. They depict the Holy Kaaba in Mecca - the most sacred site in Islam. All Muslims around the world are supposed to face the Kaaba during prayers, regardless of where they are. This is also the place where all the pilgrims gather to perform the ritual of Tawaf during the Hajj.
As I was leaving Istanbul, the airport was full of pilgrims heading to Mecca as part of the Hajj. It took me a while to figure out why there was water everywhere - all the pilgrims were washing their feet in the sinks. At 7 pm they all lined up in rows, dressed in white, in front of the boarding gate for Jeddah for their prayers.
Aya Sofya - Haghia Sophia - Church of the Holy Wisdom - Sancta Sophia
©2012 Ana Stefanovic, All Rights Reserved
This image is not available for use on websites, blogs or any other media without the explicit written permission of the photographer. If you would like permission please contact me on info/at/anastefanovic.com.
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The Tile Panel, Aya Sofya
An Ottoman addition to Aya Sofya, these are Iznik tiles from 16-17th centuries with Koranic inscriptions. They depict the Holy Kaaba in Mecca - the most sacred site in Islam. All Muslims around the world are supposed to face the Kaaba during prayers, regardless of where they are. This is also the place where all the pilgrims gather to perform the ritual of Tawaf during the Hajj.
As I was leaving Istanbul, the airport was full of pilgrims heading to Mecca as part of the Hajj. It took me a while to figure out why there was water everywhere - all the pilgrims were washing their feet in the sinks. At 7 pm they all lined up in rows, dressed in white, in front of the boarding gate for Jeddah for their prayers.
Aya Sofya - Haghia Sophia - Church of the Holy Wisdom - Sancta Sophia
©2012 Ana Stefanovic, All Rights Reserved
This image is not available for use on websites, blogs or any other media without the explicit written permission of the photographer. If you would like permission please contact me on info/at/anastefanovic.com.
on Facebook