Turkish authorities have arrested a 42-year-old man identified as M.G. for deliberately setting a Bible alight inside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque late on July 11.
The act caused a section of the historic carpet near the Mahmud II Library to catch fire before security personnel quickly extinguished the flames.
According to a statement from the Istanbul Police Department, the incident occurred at 11:50 p.m. when M.G. entered the mosque, placed the book on the floor, and set it ablaze.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect igniting the pages and the resulting small fire before he fled in the same vehicle he had arrived in.
Officers apprehended M.G. following an investigation that traced the vehicle’s registration.
He was officially arrested on July 13 after a magistrate’s court determined there was a risk he might flee and that the act constituted damage to a place of worship.
Records indicate M.G. has prior convictions for intentional injury, threats, insults, and vehicle theft. During his interrogation, he requested psychiatric evaluation, which authorities say is now under review.
No one was injured, and the mosque’s staff confirmed the fire was contained rapidly, preventing harm to the building or its visitors.
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque—an icon of Istanbul’s layered history—remains open to worshipers and tourists.
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Punish him severely !!
Do the Muslim haters know that we pray for ALL of humanity with every salaah!!
2 plus billion people x 5 times a day equals lots of prayers 🙂
They should be thanking Muslims 🙂