Final answer:
The similarity between the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Hagia Sophia is due to shared cultural and architectural influences from Byzantine architecture, as well as Ottoman aspirations to surpass previous architectural feats, with the former also intending to honor Islamic traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul bears a resemblance to the Hagia Sophia predominantly because of influenced by similar cultural and architectural motifs and the adaptations of Byzantine styles that were significant models for Ottoman architecture. The renowned architect Sinan constructed the Suleymaniye Mosque, taking inspiration from the Hagia Sophia but intent on surpassing its grandeur, as a reflection of Ottoman aspirations and to honor Islamic traditions that view themselves as heirs to earlier Judeo-Christian cultures. The attempt to outshine the architectural achievement of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, who had commissioned the Hagia Sophia, was a statement of the Ottoman Empire's superiority and religio-political continuation.
Ottoman leader Sultan Mehmed II recognized the beauty of Hagia Sophia upon conquering Constantinople in 1453 and preserved the building by converting it into a mosque, incorporating Islamic features like minarets and Arabic script, which represented the continuation of sacred space usage. These renovations and symbolic continuities are exemplified by the Hagia Sophia's transition from a church to a mosque, later into a museum, and then back to a mosque, resonating with the layered history of the region. Sinan's design of the Suleymaniye Mosque thus reflects a synthesis of the cultural and architectural legacy of its predecessor, along with the distinct identity of the Islamic and Ottoman architectural ethos.