The Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) on Friday applauded the Turkish court decision to reopen the Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) Mosque in Istanbul for Muslim worship.

“This step is a decision that the Muslims around the world are proud of,” head of Hamas’s foreign media affairs Ra’fat Murra stated in a press release.

“Unfortunately, there is a state of wailing and sadness in the midst of some Arab official circles after the Turkish authorities declared Ayasofya a mosque,” Murra said.

“We have never seen such people cry over the holy Aqsa Mosque, which is being exposed to violations by the israeli occupation,” he underscored.

“We have not heard a voice when the occupation prevented the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque and other mosques of occupied Palestine,” the Hamas official added.

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan declared Istanbul's iconic Ayasofya open to Muslim worship on Friday after a top court. (ILKHA)