On Friday, 24 July, the Hagia Sophia was opened for Muslim prayers. The action has elicited reactions globally from religious and political leaders.
After a Turkish court ruled that Hagia Sophia status should be converted to a mosque, the president Recep Erdogan led top cabinet ministers on Friday for prayers at the almost 1500 years old edifice. Supporters of the Turkish President trooped to the museum to observe the Friday prayer but entry into the museum was limited. Faithful were allowed to say the prayer outside the museum.
The move elicited reactions; in Greece, a neighbouring country. Hundreds of Orthodox churches in Greece mourned the development with the national flag flew half-staff and bells tolled.
In a statement on Friday, Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the conversion of Hagia Sophia was “not a manifestation of power but a proof of weakness.” He also accused Turkey of challenging universal values.
Orthodox Church in Russia reacting to the conversion accused Turkey of ignoring voices of millions of Christians. “The concern of millions of Christians has not been heard,” Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Vladimir Legoida said in comments carried by the Russian news agency Interfax.
“The court ruling shows that all calls for the need for extreme delicacy in this matter were ignored,” the spokesperson of the Russian church, Vladimir Legoida said.
Also United Nations agency, UNESCO described Turkey’s decision as regrettable and assured that the World Heritage Committee would review Hagia Sophia’s status.
“The Turkish decision was not the subject of dialog nor notification beforehand. UNESCO calls on the Turkish authorities to open a dialog without delay in order to avoid a step back from the universal value of this exceptional heritage whose preservation will be reviewed by the World Heritage Committee in its next session,” UNESCO said in a statement.
The European Union Foreign Policy Head, Josep Borrell also said the decision was regrettable.
The United States reacting to the decision said it is disappointed but look forward to how Turkey plans to continue to ensure Hagia Sophia remains accessible without impediment.
Reacting on behalf of the US, Morgan Ortagus, the spokesperson of the State Department said, “We are disappointed by the decision by the government of Turkey to change the status of the Hagia Sophia. 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.”
