Types of Mosque Music Performed in Hagia Sophia

This study explores the history of the Hagia Sophia Mosque and its religious music forms, with a particular focus on how these forms are applied in the newly reopened Hagia Sophia. All genres performed here are executed by imams and muezzins who are highly skilled in their fields, making it a model for both contemporary performers and future generations. The study examines the types of mosque music performed during the five daily prayers, Fridays, holy days, and religious holidays in Hagia Sophia, which has functioned as a mosque since 2020.Analysis reveals that some of these forms are unique to Hagia Sophia in terms of both structure and execution, underscoring the importance of bringing them to light. To this end, extensive research, observation, recording, and notation processes were carried out to document these unique styles. The article provides detailed insights into the maqam (musical mode) dimensions, performance styles, timing, and duration of various mosque music forms, including Qur’ān Tilāwah, Adhān, Ṣalā/Ṣalawāt, Iqāmah, Ilāhī, Mawlid, Miʿrācīyah, Qaṣīdah, Istighfār, Tasbīḥ, and others. The distinct and improvised characteristics of certain forms are also discussed. Furthermore, specific to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the article includes the notations of the Tasbīḥāt recited at the mihrab after the Fajr prayer on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as the notations of various Istighfār recited in different maqams collectively by the muezzins after each obligatory prayer.