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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
World

Erdogan leads prayers as he fights for political life

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Kemal Kilicdaroglu Istanbul Turkey Hagia Sophia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday faces the toughest election of his 21-year rule. (Photo: AFP)

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will lead Saturday prayers at Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia mosque, ahead of a battle for his political life against a powerful secular rival.

The 69-year-old will be emulating a ritual that Ottoman Sultans performed before they led their men off to war as he braces for Sunday's parliamentary and presidential ballot.

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