Ankara responds to US State Dept’s statement: Sophia is Turkey’s property
Hagia Sophia Cathedral. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
Ankara expressed its astonishment at the US Secretary of State’s statement and responded that Hagia Sophia is the property of Turkey like all cultural assets in the country, reports “Orthodox Times”.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy states that the country’s government has taken steps to protect freedom of religion and belief, noting that the Turkish constitution and legislation guarantee these freedoms for all citizens without any discrimination.
Hami Aksoy notes that Hagia Sophia is the property of Turkey like all cultural assets in the country and that it is an internal affair within Ankara’s sovereign rights.
“We are astonished by the press release issued by the U.S. Department of State on the status of the Hagia Sophia. <…> We protect meticulously all cultural properties that we own without any distinction, including Hagia Sophia, within the framework of the tradition of tolerance stemming from our culture and history.
Turkey has been delicately cherishing the historical, cultural and spiritual value of Hagia Sophia since its conquest.
On this occasion, we remind once again a reality that we have to repeat constantly. The Hagia Sophia is the property of Turkey, like all our cultural assets located on our land. Every kind of power disposition regarding Hagia Sophia is also an issue concerning our internal affairs within Turkey’s sovereignty rights,” wrote the diplomat.
As reported, the head of U.S. State Department, Mike Pompeo, urged Turkey to maintain the status of a museum for Hagia Sophia.
Read also
Dumenko "blesses" SBU facility for forensic examination
The head of the OCU noted the "special role" of the Institute of Special Technology and Forensic Expertise of the SBU.
ROC head: Attempts to impose special powers of Pat. Bartholomew are sinful
Patriarch Kirill stated that the doctrine of special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople is being imposed from outside.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces LGBT festival near Sodom and Gomorrah
Israeli authorities are promoting a large-scale gay event at the Dead Sea on social media, which has caused criticism and bewilderment among Christians.
In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"
Two non-Orthodox individuals aged 19 and 23 tracked down a 35-year-old Orthodox Christian after an Easter greeting, knocked him down and inflicted several knife wounds to his abdomen and neck.
In Uganda, Islamists kill Protestant pastor after sermon
In Uganda, a Protestant church pastor who preached among Muslims was stabbed to death after a sermon.
Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”
A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.