She came to Hagia Sophia Mosque from thousands of kilometres away to become a Muslim: I chose this place for my martyrdom

Hagia Sophia has hosted hundreds of confession ceremonies since it was converted into a mosque. One of these special ceremonies was attended by Andrea Elisa Dragan, who came to Istanbul from England.

Andrea, 25 years old, became interested in Islam thanks to her Muslim friends, and as she researched and read the Qur'an, she discovered a peace in her heart that she had never known. Andrea, who came to Istanbul in pursuit of this peace, became a Muslim on 5 May 2024.

Andrea expressed why he chose Hagia Sophia Mosque to bring martyrdom with the following words:

I chose Hagia Sophia in Istanbul for my martyrdom because I wanted this life-changing moment to take place in a place of deep historical and spiritual significance. The beauty of the mosque and the city made this special moment even more memorable.

Andrea's decision is a good example of how the historical and spiritual significance of Hagia Sophia can have a profound impact on the lives of people from different cultures and countries.

More than just a place of worship, Hagia Sophia continues to be a source of inspiration for people in search of faith and peace.