Calamos Supports Greece

Istanbul

Iconic Greek Restaurant, Pandelis, Shuts Down in Istanbul

The iconic Pandeli restaurant, named after its Greek founder Pandelis Cobanoglu, was founded in Istanbul in 1901. The restaurant near Sultanahmet was a favorite haunt of many celebrities and politicians, however, changing times that have seen a drop in...

Permanent Imam Is Appointed at Hagia Sophia

The position of Imam at Hagia Sophia that was established in 1936 but remained vacant for years has now been filled, as a permanent Imam has been appointed. "Now out of the four minarets of Hagia Sophia we will be...

Turkey PM Says Army Group Engaged in ‘Coup Attempt’

Turkey's military has officially declared a coup and said that it has "taken control of the country," shutting down major bridges and Istanbul's main airport. The Dogan agency quoted the military on Friday as saying, that it wants "to reinstall...

Exhibit Showcases History of Extraordinary Byzantine Monument, Church of Hagia Sophia in Trabzon, Turkey

An exhibition about the church of Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia) in Trebizond is open at the Koç University's ANAMED Gallery in İstiklal Caddesi in central Istanbul until September. The church has had many roles over the 750 years in which it has stood. From...

First Call to Prayer from Inside Hagia Sophia in 85 Years

July 1st was marked as the first time in 85 years when a muezzin called the faithful to prayer from inside Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The azan call was broadcast from its minarets following July 1's Laylat al-Qadr, or night...

Greece Condemns Istanbul Terrorist Attack

The Greek Foreign Ministry has condemned Tuesday’s terrorist attack on Istanbul's Ataturk international airport that left at least 41 people dead and 147 injured. "Disgusted and appalled by the new terrorist attack in Istanbul. We stand by our neighbors, our...

Greek Foreign Ministry Rejects Turkish Minority Rights Accusations

Greek Foreign Ministry sources on Wednesday fully rejected Turkish claims regarding respect for religious freedoms in Greece, calling them absolutely baseless, and again called Turkey to order over the Koran readings in Hagia Sophia. "If Turkey has not yet understood...

Turkey Reacts to Greece's Condemnation of Turning Hagia Sophia into Mosque

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has reacted strongly to Greece's criticism of reading the Koran in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul throughout Ramadan. "The Greek Foreign Ministry’s statement with regards to TRT Diyanet TV’s sahur program entitled ‘Hagia Sophia at the time of abundance,’...

Greek Reactions to Hagia Sophia's Islamization Reach EU Parliament

The Greek government has reacted against the decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque for the 30 days of ramazan. The Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement: "We condemn as regressive the Turkish authorities’ announcement of the scheduling of...

Hagia Sophia to Turn to Mosque During Muslim Ramadan [video]

The morning prayer from the Koran was read at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on the first day of Muslim Ramadan, Monday, June 6, in the presence of Turkey's general secretary of religious affairs. The former Byzantine church that now serves...