The decision to convert Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque has sparked an outcry from the majority of the international community, whereas the Turkish president said in a statement that through the decision Turkey was “exercising its sovereign rights”.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his speech on Friday night, announced that the first prayer would be held in Hagia Sophia on the 24th of July and that the mosque would “be open to all Muslims, all Christians, all foreigners.”
Immediately after the announcement of the decision, the Turkish President announced the presidential decree, according to which the monument passed into the hands of the Presidency and in particular of the Directorate of Religious Affairs and, therefore, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. In his post on twitter, he “accompanied” the presidential decree with the caption “with my best wishes”.
USA: The decision is disappointing
US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus expressed frustration with the Turkish government’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, calling on the Turkish government to maintain accessibility for all visitors.
“We understand the Turkish government remains committed to maintaining access to the Hagia Sophia for all visitors and look forward to hearing its plans for continued stewardship of the Hagia Sophia to ensure it remains accessible without impediment for all,” she said.
France: Deplores the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque
The French government “deplores” the Turkish authorities’ decision to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque, according to a press release issued late Friday night by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
“France deplores the decision of the Turkish Council of State to modify the status of the museum of Saint Sophia and the decree of President [Erdogan] placing it under the authority of the directorate of religious affairs. These decisions call into question one of the most symbolic acts of modern, secular Turkey,” the French foreign minister said in a press release.
Political reactions in Germany
The Federal Government spokesman for Religious Affairs, Markus Grubel (CDU), deplores the imminent conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and highlighted the monument’s historical significance. The German Catholic Church, as well as party officials, have also criticised Ankara’s decision.
“I regret that Hagia Sophia will now be available for prayer exclusively to one religion. The building is of historical significance, both for Christianity and for Islam. “In a change of status, (the building) should serve as a meeting point, an exchange between the two religions,” Mr Grubel told the Universal News Agency (KNA).