Council of State announces decision on converting Hagia Sophia into mosque
Hagia Sophia on CNN TURK. Photo: a screenshot of the CNN TURK channel
The 10th Chamber of the Council of State annulled the decision of the Council of Ministers dated 24 November 1934 on the conversion of Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum. CNN TURK reporter Serhat Dal announced the reasoned decision regarding Hagia Sophia in a live broadcast.
It is reported that "it is not legally possible to use it (Hagia Sophia – Ed.) except for the mosque…”
It is also said that the Turkish President Recep Erdogan will address the people on the evening of July 10 when he is expected to officially announce the new status of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral.
Earlier Erdogan stated that any criticism of the Turkish authorities' intention to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque is a direct infringement of Turkey's sovereignty.
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